Teenager Sophie fundraising for blind charity

Teenager Sophie fundraising for blind charity

11 December 2019

A BALLYNAHINCH teenager has embarked upon a fundraising initiative on behalf of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

Sophie Mills (14) will be selling raffle tickets for a host of prizes over the coming weeks ahead of a a key fundraising event in Ballynahinch Masonic Hall on February 1 next year.

The Year 10 Ballynahinch High School student — who has been diagnosed with Albinism — is on the waiting list for a guide dog and has already been cane-trained by representatives from the charity.

The teenager, who relies on the aid of her cane, is hoping that she will get her guide dog sometime next year, but is conscious that there is a long waiting list.

Sophie, who recently finished in the top six of a SuperValu Superstars competition and was presented with a certificate during a glittering awards night at Belfast’s Titanic Hotel, is keen to help the Guide Dogs charity by raising money on its behalf.

Her mum Marina said the estimated cost of training a guide dog is £50,000.

She explained: “Sophie wants to raise as much money as she can to help the charity which does not receive any government funding. It is her way of giving something back to an organisation which is helping her and so many others.

“Sophie studies at Ballynahinch High School with the help of a classroom assistant and is keen to raise as much as she can.”

Her mum said that a number of local businesses have been very generous in offering raffle prizes and she hopes that others will kindly donate some more.

Marina added: “An evening of live music gets underway at 7.30pm and the entry fee is £5. The winners of the raffle will be drawn on the night and Sophie hopes the evening will be a success.”