A team of Suncorp graduates will run the annual Bridge to Brisbane, raising money for Guide Dogs Queensland (GDQ), a charity close to their hearts.
Their efforts are in support of fellow graduate, Henry Macphillamy, who was born with a severe vision impairment and has relied on the support of organisations like Guide Dogs Queensland since the age of five.
“Without the support of Guide Dogs organisations, visually impaired people like myself wouldn’t have anywhere near as much independence, so having my colleagues help me to raise money to support them is fantastic,” said Suncorp’s Legal Graduate Henry.
“Not many people know that while guide dogs are provided for free by Guide Dogs Queensland, they cost upwards of $50,000 to breed, raise and train,”
With Australia’s aging population and an increasing number of people who are blind or visually impaired, demand for guide dogs and other mobility services is increasing.
"We rely on the support of the community to help Queenslanders with low or no vision be independent and live life the way they choose, just like Henry does,” said Michael Kightley, Chief Executive Officer, Guide Dogs Queensland.
“Running Bridge to Brisbane is a challenge for a lot of us, but it’s nowhere near the challenges people with low or no vision face every day.
“We are so thankful to the graduates at Suncorp for choosing to support Guide Dogs this Bridge to Brisbane and help more people get the assistance they need to continue being independent and active in the community.”
