Shady dealings in the Royal Borough

It will be civic support "at the double" when Royal Borough Mayor Cllr Dorothy Kemp joins Eton Town Council Mayoress Lynne Highy and trainee guide dog Grady next week to help raise awareness about eye health.

But the civic duo won't mind being left in the shade by their canine colleague as Grady leads by example and dons his sunglasses in support of this year's Guide Dogs for the Blind annual Shades Day on Friday June 20.

Cllr Kemp and Lynne Highy – a puppywalker currently training nine-month-old Grady as a guide dog – will be supporting the thousands of people from all over the country who will be putting on sunglasses, sun visors and sunhats to highlight the need to protect their eyes when outside during the day – with particular emphasis on the increased risks of developing cataracts and macular degeneration as a result of over-exposure to the sun's UV rays.

Cllr Kemp, Lynne and Grady will launch the local awareness campaign on Friday June 20 at 12.30pm outside the Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead.

Cllr Kemp said this week:  "With summer well and truly upon us now, this is a really worthwhile and timely campaign to remind people to think very carefully about the health of their eyes.

"I am delighted to be supporting the Guide Dogs for the Blind campaign and helping to raise awareness about the importance of protecting eyes, especially when you are outside and the light is so bright that you have to squint or turn away."

Lynne Highy is one of many puppywalking volunteers around the country who care for guide dog puppies from the age of six weeks for 12-14 months, introducing them to the sights, sounds and smells they will encounter when they are guide dogs.

Lynne said: "Despite the hard work involved, being a puppy walker is very rewarding in helping to achieve a balanced and well-behaved puppy ready for its final training.  It is such a worthwhile job to do, especially when the puppy qualifies and is able to be the sight for another person."

For further information about Shades Day visit the website www.shadesday.org.uk or phone 0845 600 6787 to receive the Guide Dogs free fundraising and information pack.