Guide dog Emily to make a splash for charity by swimming 100 lengths

Margaret McKinven, of Craven Arms, has signed her service dog Emily up to the Swim 100 challenge.

Keen swimmers take part in the event each year which raises money for the Guide Dogs charity.

Participants are asked to swim either 100 minutes, 100 lengths or 100 miles in May.

Because Margaret is unable to take part because of a health condition, Emily has stepped in.

The 53-year-old, who lost her sight six years ago, said: "Emily loves to swim. The people who had her first when she was a puppy lived by the sea and used to take her there to swim.

"When I first got her I took her for a walk down the back of the Discovery Centre and she jumped into the river and had a swim.

"She loves it so much I started taking her to Taras canine hydrotherapy pool in Dorrington. It's great exercise for her too."

The money raised will help train puppies to become fully fledged service dogs like Emily.

Margaret said she wants to give back to Guide Dogs who provided her with Emily and changed her life.

"Emily helps me get out to the shops and to church, she helps me get on trains and the bus. She's changed my life so much and given me my independence back.

"But there is a massive wait for people who really need a guide dog. It's important to raise money to train them and this is a way I can give back."

Emily will swim 100 lengths over the course of May under the guidance of Nikki Eggington.

To donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/guidedogemily