Staff at Edinburgh Airport to raise cash for Guide Dogs in 2016

Staff at Edinburgh Airport have kicked off the new year by voting for Guide Dogs Scotland to be its corporate charity partner for 2016.

Guide Dogs provides life changing mobility services enabling people who are blind and partially sighted to take control of their lives and get around with confidence.

Each year, Edinburgh airport – which is Scotland’s busiest – works with different charities, raising funds and awareness of various organisations.

Last year it worked with Erskine and helped raise over £25,000, while in 2014 the airport worked with Scottish Autism and Unicef, raising over £10,000 during the course of the year.

Edinburgh Airport chief executive Gordon Dewar said he was delighted that staff voted for Guide Dogs Scotland and was looking forward to meeting the working dogs and their handlers.

Guide Dogs Scotland receives no government funding to provide its life-changing services – Kyla Stratton

He added: “Helping raise £25,000 for Erskine is a fantastic achievement and it is great for us to be involved and play our part in supporting these vital organisations,” he said.

Kyla Stratton, business development manager at Guide Dogs Scotland, said there are currently 34,500 people living with sight loss in the country, a number which is set to double by 2050 and that funds are vital for increasing support.

"Guide Dogs Scotland receives no government funding to provide its life-changing services and therefore relies entirely on the generosity of the local community to continue its work.

"A partnership with Edinburgh Airport will help us raise awareness of the independence we can give to people with sight loss."