Maxol, the Irish fuel and filling station operator, has said that it will boost its long-standing support for the Irish Guide Dogs For The Blind charity.
Sounds good. How does this work?
Well, Maxol is starting off with its Every Scan Counts campaign. If you're a member of the Maxol loyalty programme, then all you need to do is scan your Maxol app at the till whenever you're making a purchase, and Maxol will automatically donate 50c to Irish Guide Dogs For The Blind. And it won't cost you anything extra.
What kind of difference will this make?
A huge difference. Training a guide dog costs a whopping €53,000 and Maxol's support of the charity has already raised enough money to train three such dogs — Otto, Daisy, and Polly (Polly is the dog in these pics with Maxol CEO, Brian Donaldson).
“Our loyalty app was initially developed to reward our customers but now, we're using that same technology to extend the benefits to a really important cause. We are giving back on behalf of our loyal customers, working with our retailers, and the wider community to make a difference and fund the training of two new puppies. The highly trained, intuitive dogs provide not only confidence but also independence to individuals, so every scan brings us closer to changing and enhancing someone's life” said Donaldson.
Are guide dogs strictly for blind people?
No, guide dogs can be used in all sorts of support situations including helping children with Autism. Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind CEO Tim O'Mahony said: “Maxol's continued support helps us meet the growing demand for guide dogs to those who are vision impaired and assistance dogs to the families of children with autism. Our dogs don't just change lives; they transform entire families and initiatives like 'Every Scan Counts' help us to empower our clients to live more independently and inclusively in their communities.”
According to the charity, the dogs provide a vital lifeline: “With many visually impaired individuals facing isolation and challenges in everyday activities, such as shopping, working, and socialising, guide dogs provide a vital lifeline, offering safety, mobility, and independence. Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind also provides invaluable support for families of children with autism, a part of the charity's service that is not as widely known. For children with autism, assistance dogs serve as a calming presence, aiding in behaviour regulation and enhancing social skills and confidence.”