The building in Atherton is due to be completed early summer 2009 and the launch of the £650,000 appeal, during national Guide Dog Week, took place at the charity's existing training facility yesterday.

The new purpose-built school replaces the charity's existing Bolton training facility which has been in operation for nearly 50 years.

The appeal centres around support for the funding of internal living and training environments and equipment to provide the best in mental and physical stimulation, such as the latest in kennel design, indoor
training areas, a vet centre, observation rooms, outside play areas, play toys, blankets, dog bowls and much more.

Guide Dogs will be able to train an increased number of happy, healthy, high-quality guide dogs to provide a life-transforming level of independence and confidence to thousands of blind and partially-sighted people across the UK.

Guide Dogs hopes to reach the £650,000 appeal target for the opening of the new facility.

Individuals, groups, organisations and corporate companies wishing to support the appeal can do so by hosting an event or undertaking a sponsored challenge or through corporate donations and sponsorship.

Guide Dogs' operations director Stephen Kirk, said: "Everything the charity does is focused on quality, and the new Atherton Training
School epitomises our approach to welfare and training and on producing happy, well adjusted dogs to meet the needs of our current and future clients."

E-mail: athertonappeal@ guidedogs.org.uk, or call 0870 600 23 23 for more information or for a fundraising pack.
Donate securely online www.guidedogs.org.uk/athertonappeal.