Long post alert!
My boy is winning prizes!
“What an absolutely incredible day today at the Guide Dogs Awards at the hub in reading. From the start to end, it was just incredible.
We arrived an hour early - we set off in good time, to try and allow for any traffic problems. ( 04:00 )
I chatted to Veronica ( Ambassador and Celebrity Relations Manager ) On the way, who said that we were welcome to Sit in the guide dogs coffee shop until it was time for our sound check. Chrissie, one of Veronicas colleagues would meet us at the main entrance and would look after Spencer, Dean and myself all day.
Chrissie was the most wonderful, lovely, considerate with an amazing sense of humour Lady.
We had so many laughs, and she just took complete care of us. Took Spencer to spend, took me into the marquee so that I could familiarise myself with it, describe where our tables and chairs were ( wait until I tell you who we were sat with!!! ) and then guided Spencer and I to the stage to practice actually going up the steps and finding the lectern.
She said that we can do it as many times as we need, and that she is happy to guide me there when its our time , or we can do it by ourselves etc, and she would just follow to be there on hand if we need any help at all with anything.
Honestly she was amazing. Chrissie guided us once, then Spencer had it sorted.
In the coffee shop, Chrissie asked if we needed to freshen up etc, and showed us where a shower room was and toilets etc.
As I was stood there with spencer and dean I heard a voice say - thats my beautiful boy ( spencer obviously haha ) and then, Terry…. Its Angela. I quizzically looked in her direction, and said “Tuck?” And she said, Yes.
Oh my goodness, I was so shocked and very pleasantly surprised. I was truly delighted. Angela has followed us right from the very beginning on FB, even before Spencer arrived, and has always been so so supportive of us, in so many ways. Always sent Spencer beautiful gifts and cards etc. so to actually meet in person was AMAZING.
She knew that she was going to be there right from the moment I mentioned we would be going to the awards, making sure she was on volunteer duty - and kept it a secret from me all this time haha.
We had to get ready, so said that we would meet up at some point during the day for a proper chat and cuddle. I was so so excited.
There were apparently 18 dogs at the awards! The marquee was beautifully decked out, nice and warm and had a wonderful atmosphere.
We got our sound check out of the way, all the time, Chrissie being around should we need anything. We then went into the reception area where all guests were gathered and simply
Mingled. They had string instruments being played, I think maybe a cellist and violinist.
It was amazing how many people I met that I actually know via Spencers FB page and also the coffee lounge. And so we chatted away, and it felt like we all knew each other even though we had never actually met in person before.
I do feel bad that during the day a few of our FB followers wanted photos with Spencer, but at those moments, we were being whisked off to do some event related things Particularly Lisa, and also I was looking forward to meeting Torie and her beautiful guide Vivvy.
Sadly, this never happened. However, I did hear Tories name being called in the expert category finalists and she and Vivvy went up on stage to collect their certificates.
Sooooo . When we got back to sit at our table, in readiness, for the event to begin in the next ten minutes or so, we were introduced to our table guests which included
The celebrity host, Hollywood Marvel Superhero Charlie Cox and his wife Samantha.
Veronica, who i affectionately call my agent , friend and all round super star, Veronica is Ambassador and Celebrity Relations Manager for guide dogs and actually nominated me for the award.
One of Guide dogs Trustees, Jennelle Tilling, Janelle was so lovely to chat with, we talked all manner if things, spencer had cuddles and she looked after me and spencer.
Director of people and performance Kathryn Ward , and David Grice who is the National Head of Dog Training and Behaviour and his lovely wife.
Both David Grice and Kathryn won awards, which was wonderful.
We really gelled as a table, i think there were 12 tables of around nine people Per table? Everyone was chatty, and just lovely to talk to and get to know. I felt very privileged and a little in awe to be sat with these people - Charlie Cox, was just so “normal” , just like a regular guy, no airs snd graces, just “normal” , as was his wonderful wife. I Cant quite believe I was sat chatting to a real life Hollywood superstar super hero. Sadly, he was not in character, so there was no lycra or leather haha ( i did make reference to this in my talk later
But honestly so down to earth just chatting about regular things. They have two beautiful children who they clearly adore, and it was so interesting getting to know them a little.
The awards started so charlie went on stage to welcome everyone and explain what the event meant to him, and host the whole event.
Then going straight to introducing the award categories, and what each category stood for. He introduced different people, trustees, Tom wright, guide dogs ceo, royal canin reps as the sponsors of the event etc.
These lovely people would then read out the three finalists in their allotted category.
They would pick up a golden envelope, there would be a dramatic drum roll, and then they would open the envelope to reveal the winner, welcoming them on stage to collect their trophy and certificates, as well as having their photos taken.
They were all Great to Listen to and their words sounded very genuine and sincere, and of course each presenter interjected their own humour into proceedings too.
The rounds of applause people got from everyone in the room was very heartwarming.
It came to the category I was nominated for, Guide Dog Partnership of the year, 2022 and the finalists were read out, there was a drum roll, and then…. We only went and flipping won!!!!
There was a Round of applause, Chrissie helped Spencer and I to the stage and we collected our lovely trophy and certificate. And had our photo taken with representatives from royal canin representative ( they sponsored the event ) And Trustee Kate, who i had a good chat with later and we will be connecting, she has a fabulous, very lovely very vocal german shepherd called Monty, who was just ace and she made me Smile when she said that Monty cannot clap with his paws, so claps with his Jaws - and he did i deed haha.
We then had a lunch break so was served a lovely two course dinner. Had lots of time to chat again with our table mates.
A magician was doing his rounds and came to our table, asking if there was anyone sat at the table with a guide dog. And everyone pointed to me He said he would do a trick and ask someone to describe what they saw. Jenelle said lottery tickets - he said no, look again, and they had changed into £20 notes, he said no, look again and they had turned into £50 notes.
He then planned a cup in front of me and played various tricks with balls , lemons, lines and oranges. Pretty amazing.
When he went, I said to the table that O actually saw him push some soft spongy balls onto my closed hand, whilst tapping the top of my ha d with his other hand lol, and Jenelle said that she saw that too haha. So, I said, I k ew he was being filmed doing it, so i didn’t want to say anything, and so looked amazed and surprised each time
Spencer was taken to see if he needed to spend and, I was too - both of us needed it haha.
On my way back, a chap introduced himself from the comms team and said would I do a little interview, as they wanted to get the winners reactions etc. so of course, we did.
I was then thinking I would go back to the table but nope! another comms team , Pippa introduced herself and asked if I was ready and I thought - for what? I didn’t realise, that it was time for us to do our speaker session already - I was very nervous about it. And she said if you aren’t ready, don’t worry, take a few moments etc. but I said I am as ready as I ever will be lol. And she linked arms with me and walked me and Spencer past our table so that I could collect a smoked bone I had brought for him.
He has heard me talk before many times, and i thought a bone would be preferable to him and keep him occupied whilst I chatted. And it worked a treat haha.
We waited at the side of the stage until Charlie had finished introducing us - everyone clapped and Spencer and I, with the help of Pippa made our way onto the stage. , I asked Spencer to “find the counter” and he took me to the lectern, I gave him his bone and we began.
I opened by thanking Charlie, and saying that I felt very reassured that we had our very own super hero here - Daredevil , in case I were to fall off of the stage, as he would come rescue me…. Clad in Lycra….. and leather…. Then saying that I could not believe that I had said that out loud, and that there are some thoughts that you should just keep to yourself, and this was one of those haha.
Thankfully everyone laughed
including daredevil himself
I then just did my talk about my personal sight loss story, and how i did a full circle from being in a place where I just didn’t want to be a part life anymore to where I am now, with Spencer by my side, living life, loving life to the full and pushing the boundaries, constantly.
We left to another round of applause, and as we were leaving the stage, it was announced that they had a little extra surprise for me.
So, to stay there, as there were two video messages that they wanted to play that were sent to then. One was from Nicky Campbell and the other from Jeremy Vine!! Absolutely incredible, and this did bring a tear to my eye. I cant post photos and videos on the same post ( thank you Facebook )
So i will Post them separately
We received so so many wonderful comments from so many people. It was very special and what people said to me, meant a great deal.
People came up to us throughout the rest of the day and at the end of the event to tell me how much they enjoyed the talk and how it resonated on lots of levels and really drove home the despair but then the joy etc. i was also asked if I would do a similar talk for another guide dog event later next year. I was very touched by peoples kindness.
I had a hug from Daredevil Charlie Cox, as he was leaving. And so many people from FB, as well as guide dogs staff who I have worked with on TV interviews. Radio appeals etc, but never met in person.
Daniel was one who I have done a lot of PR work with and when he heard we were there he came to say hello as well as did the wonderful
Hannah Wallis who worked the guide dogs fundraising appeal last year where we managed to raise £450,000 using Spencer and my story.
We had chats and cuddles with the lovely Janice McCauley who won an award and who follows Spencers page and so many others
It really was the most incredible day. Very enjoyable. As Chrissie and Angela walked is to the car, a lovely lady called Emma came to say Hi and explained that she had spoken with me on the coffee lou he a long time ago when I got Spencer, as she was a puppy raiser and she had just got a lab/ retriever cross puppy called Spencer. And she said that she has lived in the “famous” Spencer shadow all this time lol , so many people saying to her is that your Spencer, even today at the wards when we were on stage , oh Emma is that your Spencer haha
21, yes 21 guide dog puppies this lady has raised. . That in itself deserves an award.
I really am sincerely thankful for your amazing support as always to Dean, Spencer and Myself. It means the world. Thank you for believing in us and of course all of your messages for the awards today.
I think you all brought me the the best luck and helped me win the award for Guide Dogs Partnership of The Year 2022. The trophy and certificate will take pride of place in my home. Feeling blessed, lucky and very proud of my boys, Spencer and Dean, our lovely fb supporters and friends, and of course, Guide dogs. Thank you for making an old blind man extremely happy x x ”
