The Southend West MP has secured the good news that local disability campaigner and Pride of Britain winner Jill Allen-King is on the high priority list for a new guide dog.
Launching a petition in light of the news that her current guide dog, Jagger, may be at risk of retirement due to his age, Anna launched a campaign to ensure that Jill would be allocated a new canine companion as soon as possible.
Speaking with the Chief Operating Officer of Guide Dogs UK, Pete Osborne, Anna made it clear that the 2 to 3 years anticipated wait for a new dog was simply not acceptable for Jill at the age of 82.
Explaining the current operational challenges Guide Dogs UK faces following the disruption from the pandemic, Mr. Osborne confirmed that the charity was doing all it could to fix the current situation.
However, Anna was delighted to hear the full commitment of Guide Dogs UK to find Jill Allen-King a new canine companion as a matter of urgency. In the meantime, Jagger is receiving a full health check-up to see if he can serve Jill for a longer period.
In addition to this, they offered further assistance through their ‘Sighted Guide’ service which utilises volunteers to help visually impaired people navigate public spaces.
The BBC also took particular interest in the campaign due to Jill’s regular contributions on radio and TV regarding equal rights and increased accessibility in those living with blindness, interviewing both Anna and Jill in the latter’s lounge last week.
Anna said,
“I am so delighted with the amazing, wholesome energy being put in by the public and Guide Dogs UK to help the iconic Jill Allen-King.”
“There is no doubt about the challenges Guide Dogs UK faces following the pandemic, but I was really pleased to hear that Jill has been placed on a high priority list following my lobbying.”
