Guide Dogs Cymru Fundraising Champion
2165. Eva Rich
Eva Rich, aged 81, from Pembrokeshire has been an ambassador, speaker and fundraiser for the charity ‘Guide Dogs Cymru’ for 60 years.
Eva was born with a vision impairment, becoming totally blind aged 13, and was paired with her first guide dog at aged 19. Having now been a guide dog owner for 61 years, she is with her seventh guide dog, Nancy. Eva set up the Pembrokeshire fundraising group of the charity in 1975, where she has been the group organiser and secretary for over forty years, and was recognised with the Guide Dogs’ Princess Alexandra Award for Lifetime Achievement in November 2022. Through Eva’s ambassadorship and talks, she has helped many people understand the work of the charity and also inspired others to fundraise for ‘Guide Dogs’. Eva works with the group to run numerous fundraising activities, including coffee mornings, store collections and other events, and has raised over £700,000 since starting the group.
The award for Eva coincides with World Sight Day and Guide Dogs Appeal month.
Congratulating Eva on her award, The Rt Hon Simon Hart, Eva’s local MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, said:
“Eva Rich is a local legend and her efforts on behalf of the ‘Guide Dogs’ second to none. The whole county is proud of what she has achieved and delighted by this recognition.”
Eva said:
“I was absolutely surprised to receive the call. As this is my third award in 12 months I am feeling very humbled and very appreciated.”
Find out more about ‘Guide Dogs Cymru’