Cardiff Castle was illuminated in a blue glow to mark 90 years of Guide Dogs Cymru yesterday.
The colour is in the traditional guide dogs bright blue, the colour worn on the harnesses of the guide dogs for quick recognition.
It has been 90 years since Welshman Tomos ap Rhys was paired with Folly the German Shepherd - one of the first four in the UK.
He used guide dogs for the following 48 years and died in 1979, at the age of 82, having had six different guide dogs by his side.
There are currently 215 working guide dog partnerships in Wales, 26 of them being in Cardiff.
Today the Guide Dogs Association trains and pairs over 1,000 guide dogs per year.
To mark their anniversary month, Guide Dogs have launched a 90 appeal which asks supporters to do something adding up to the numerical value of 90 over October.
It costs around £55,000 to train and support a guide dog throughout their working life and Guide Dogs covers the cost of food, vets’ bills and ongoing training after the dog is partnered with someone with sight loss, relying on donations.
Examples on their website suggest baking, having a 90’s themed party or walking 90km, all to raise money for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.
The lighting of the castle in blue also heralded the official unveiling of the charity’s pop up shop in Cardiff’s St. David’s shopping centre which will open 10am - 6pm throughout October.
It will sell the charity’s Christmas cards and gifts, as well as paintings by blind artists, handmade crafts and activities for children.
Members of the public can also attend the Pat and Chat sessions from 11am to 1pm to meet the dogs and puppies and learn more about the charity, and volunteer to help at the shop.
It is located near Boots and Gregg’s inside the shopping centre.
Find out more at guidedogs.org.uk .
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