A SURPRISING guest had fundraisers digging deep to help develop her expensive training schedule.

Gypsy took centre stage when she visited The Wilton Centre to raise awareness of her services for blind and partially-sighted people.

Staff from the various companies based at The Wilton Centre, which is a research and development complex for the chemical industry on Teesside, met guide dog Gypsy and her owner Al during the visit.

Nicola Wilson, Guide Dogs' District Fundraiser said: "We are extremely grateful to all the staff for welcoming us and for being so very generous, raising £180 for the charity.

"Gypsy loved all the attention and it was great to hear that so many members of staff were aware of Guide Dogs and that they had sponsored one or two of our puppies."

There are around 4,500 guide dog working throughout the UK, each costing about £50,000.

Wilton Centre Manager, Dave Willis, said that it was good to be able to support such a worthwhile charity.

He added: "The people who work here are always very generous with charitable initiatives and the presence of a guest as appealing as Gypsy made this one very popular."

For more information, or if your company would like to book a Meet Guide Dogs session, contact Nicola Wilson at Nicola.Wilson@guidedogs.org.uk