Blind Low Vision NZ puts Bupa community grant to good use

Each year, Bupa Foundation Community Grants support local charities and organisations with funding to ‘help people live longer, healthier, happier, lives and make a better world’. This delivers on our sustainability goal, which strives to make a positive impact on the world.

In a recent round of funding, Blind Low Vision NZ was nominated by Lynne Westbrooke, Village Coordinator at Wattle Downs and received $10,000 for their Guide Dogs Programme.

Lynne says, “In the past we had donated old towels, which are cut into rags for cleaning up after the puppies. But after visiting their new site in Manurewa and seeing what was needed, we felt they deserved a larger contribution to increase their impact.

“They were so happy to be nominated and to receive the funding. I suggested they name a guide dog puppy, Bupa, but unfortunately the naming rights of a puppy requires an even larger donation!” says Lynne.

Blind Low Vision NZ used their funding for:

High-quality training and care for puppies to become certified guide dogs.
New stethoscopes to check on the puppies when they’re born and vet beds to ensure they’re warm and comfortable when being transported.
Professional development webinars that reached up to 40 employees each month.
A tool for assessing blind and low vision clients for a potential guide dog.

As part of our sponsorship, Wattle Downs residents received a guided tour of the new training facility. There are replicas of bus and train stations and escalators, so the guide dogs can learn to navigate public transport and busy areas safely for their owners.

“It’s important we nominate worthy organisations like Blind Low Vision NZ, as our funding has a significant impact. The training and equipment we contributed will help people who rely on guide dogs for years to come.”

“Low vision people who are partnered with a dog, lead better and more fulfilling lives. They’re able to travel and find employment, and children become more independent with the aid of a guide dog.”

“This was a wonderful collaboration between Bupa and Blind Vision NZ, as our residents got to learn about blind low vision training and needs of low vision people – they came back from beaming.”
- Lynne Westbrooke, Village Coordinator at Wattle Downs