Pub and retailing company Heron and Brearley and its customers have raised £10,000 for a guide dogs charity.

Since April, all of H&B’s businesses, including its pubs and convenience stores, have been fundraising through a variety of events and activities, including pub quizzes, sporting challenges, sponsored fancy dress and the guide dog charity boxes.

Marketing manager Marie Kinvig said: ’We are delighted to achieve our first £10,000 goal as this allows us to start the process of sponsoring our first puppy through their guide dog training.

’We have had a lot of fun fundraising so far for such a worthy charity as our guide dog has the potential of transforming the quality of life for a blind or partially-sighted person..

’We know we couldn’t have achieved this without the fantastic support of our teams and customers and for this, we are truly thankful.’

Guide Dogs UK is a national charity, which also operates in the island.

It takes around 20 months to train a guide dog.

Marie added: ’"Our ultimate aim, since the beginning of this campaign, was to raise £20,000 to sponsor two guide dogs.

’We have a lot planned for the next few months to help us reach our final target.’