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Campaigner urges Rishi Sunak to sort out guide dog shortage Guide dog campaigner urges Rishi Sunak to sort out shortage
(32 minutes later)
Jill Allen-King with her guide dog and Southend MP Anna Firth meeting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at an event for community championsJill Allen-King with her guide dog and Southend MP Anna Firth meeting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at an event for community champions
A campaigner for blind people has urged the prime minister to help sort out the shortage of guide dogs across the UK.A campaigner for blind people has urged the prime minister to help sort out the shortage of guide dogs across the UK.
Jill Allen-King, 82, from Westcliff, Essex, met Rishi Sunak at an event to celebrate community champions on Wednesday evening.Jill Allen-King, 82, from Westcliff, Essex, met Rishi Sunak at an event to celebrate community champions on Wednesday evening.
She is facing the possibility of her own dog, Jagger, being retired due to his age in June.She is facing the possibility of her own dog, Jagger, being retired due to his age in June.
The Guide Dogs charity said there had been a shortage of guide dogs due to the restrictions of the pandemic. The Guide Dogs charity said there had been a shortage due to the restrictions of the pandemic.
Speaking after her meeting with Rishi Sunak, she said: "I held onto his hand and told him there were a thousand blind people waiting for a guide dog and he really did seem shocked by that. "I held onto his hand and told him there were a thousand blind people waiting for a guide dog and he really did seem shocked by that.
"He said to Anna my MP, 'let me know how I can help' and I'm sure she will let him know." "He said to Anna, my MP, 'let me know how I can help' and I'm sure she will let him know," she said.
The lockdown in 2020 meant a pause on breeding and puppy training was difficult due to the closure of restaurants and other public spaces.The lockdown in 2020 meant a pause on breeding and puppy training was difficult due to the closure of restaurants and other public spaces.
Mrs Allen-King, who has had seven guide dogs in the past 51 years, said she was worried about losing her independence.Mrs Allen-King, who has had seven guide dogs in the past 51 years, said she was worried about losing her independence.
Jagger was still "so fit and well", she said. "He wants to work, I can't see why he can't work until August when they can give me another dog". Jagger was still "so fit and well", she said. "He wants to work, I can't see why he can't work until August when they can give me another dog."
Jill Allen-King with Jagger and MP Anna Firth outside No 10 Downing StreetJill Allen-King with Jagger and MP Anna Firth outside No 10 Downing Street
Her MP, Southend's Anna Firth, has asked the Guide Dogs charity to make an exception and allow Jagger to continue working rather than leave her without a dog.Her MP, Southend's Anna Firth, has asked the Guide Dogs charity to make an exception and allow Jagger to continue working rather than leave her without a dog.
Jagger has been assessed by the charity and she is waiting to hear the outcome.Jagger has been assessed by the charity and she is waiting to hear the outcome.
Peter Osbourne from the charity said it was important to balance the owner's needs as well as the dog's health and its ability to work.Peter Osbourne from the charity said it was important to balance the owner's needs as well as the dog's health and its ability to work.
"As a dog gets older although they may still be healthy, their reactions can slow and their willingness to guide may reduce which can bring associated risks to both the dog and guide dog owner." "As a dog gets older although they may still be healthy, their reactions can slow and their willingness to guide may reduce which can bring associated risks to both the dog and guide dog owner," he said.
The activist had to have one of her eyes removed as a baby due to measles and lost her sight fully aged 24, on her wedding day, due to glaucoma. Since then she has campaigned for better access rights for blind and partially sighted people.The activist had to have one of her eyes removed as a baby due to measles and lost her sight fully aged 24, on her wedding day, due to glaucoma. Since then she has campaigned for better access rights for blind and partially sighted people.
She came up with the idea for textured pavements at road crossings and was given an OBE for her services to disabled people.She came up with the idea for textured pavements at road crossings and was given an OBE for her services to disabled people.
You can hear more about Jill Allen-King's meeting with the PM on Justin Dealey's BBC Local Radio show on Saturday 25 March between 22:00 and 01:00 GM and on BBC Sounds.You can hear more about Jill Allen-King's meeting with the PM on Justin Dealey's BBC Local Radio show on Saturday 25 March between 22:00 and 01:00 GM and on BBC Sounds.
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Related TopicsRelated Topics
Assistance animalsAssistance animals
Deaf blindDeaf blind
Southend-on-SeaSouthend-on-Sea
Guide dogsGuide dogs
Blindness and visual-impairmentBlindness and visual-impairment