FORMER England international footballer Dave Thomas has set himself a new goal – to raise £100,000 for the charity Guide Dogs UK.
Mr Thomas’ sight has progressively deteriorated since he was diagnosed with glaucoma 20 years ago.
Then four years ago he was paired with guide dog Hannah, who has helped transform his life and maintain his independence.
“I know what a difference she has made to my life, so I decided to do some fundraising. I thought I would try to raise £5,000,” he said.
Such has been the response, however, he has raised almost £90,000 for Guide Dogs UK and now aims to break six figures.
Mr Thomas, 70, has raised money through a variety of talks, donations and other fundraising ventures.
One supporter of Queens Park Rangers FC – the club where Mr Thomas made 182 appearances between 1972 and 1977 – donated £10,000 to the cause after hearing of his efforts.
Former top flight manager Harry Redknapp, a good friend, has also made a donation to the fundraising effort.
An auction of signed premier league team shirts added thousands to the fund and proceeds from the sale of his autobiography Guiding Me Home and Away have also raised a substantial amount.
His latest fundraiser will be a one-man show, An Evening with Dave Thomas, at The Witham, Barnard Castle, on Friday, September 17.
The evening will comprise a talk followed by a Q&A session.
Mr Thomas said experience at previous talks had highlighted how people are just as interested in Hannah, the work of Guide Dogs UK and the help he had received from the charity as they are in his footballing past, which peaked with eight appearances for England in 1974-75.
“I have got to tell people how things started out with the football, but how I came to get Hannah interests a lot of people,” he said.
Mr Thomas, who lives in Lartington with wife Brenda and is dad to their two daughters, said he can still see a “little bit” but has lost all peripheral vision.
“It is quite frustrating, but you just get on with it,” he said.
“Without Hannah, it would be very difficult. I waited nearly three years to get her – that was a long wait.
“She’s six now and will retire when she is ten-and-a-half. Then I will go on the waiting list again.”
Tickets for An Evening with Dave Thomas are on sale priced £10 and £8, with proceeds split between Guide Dogs UK and The Witham.
For details and to book, go to www.thewitham.org.uk or call the box office on 01833 631107.
