For 50 years, Irish Guide Dogs has been helping people living with sight loss and families of children with autism to build greater independence, confidence and mobility.
As a national charity, Irish Guide Dogs provides all of its services free of charge, supporting individuals and families through a range of programmes, including Guide Dogs for people who are blind or vision impaired, Assistance Dogs for families of children with autism, Community Dogs for schools and facilities, Orientation and Mobility Training, Independent Living Skills Training and the Child Mobility Programme.
The charity costs more than €5 million each year to deliver its services, with 85% of its funding coming from the generosity of the public, corporate supporters and legacies. Its work is also supported by more than 1,700 volunteers across 40 branches nationwide.
Making a Lasting Difference
Support from fundraising events such as the H&MV Engineering Charity Cycle helps Irish Guide Dogs continue to deliver these life-changing services to people and families across Ireland.
For someone who is blind or vision impaired, access to a Guide Dog and specialist training can provide the confidence and independence to travel, work and participate more freely in everyday life.
For families of children with autism, an Assistance Dog can provide reassurance and greater freedom, helping families enjoy experiences that others may take for granted – from days out and holidays to simple family activities.
The impact of this support extends beyond the individual, helping people and families live with greater confidence, independence and connection.
Celebrating 50 Years of Changing Lives
2026 marks 50 years of Irish Guide Dogs changing lives, making the continued support of partners like H&MV Engineering particularly meaningful.
Irish Guide Dogs CEO Tim O’Mahony said:
“The support of H&MV Engineering through their annual cycle is incredibly important to us at Irish Guide Dogs, and we are especially grateful to have their continued support as we celebrate our 50th anniversary.
“Their generosity has also made a very tangible difference to our services, including funding the renovation of our client kitchen at our Training Centre in Cork. This newly renovated facility plays an important role in our Independent Living Skills course, helping people who are blind or vision impaired to develop practical skills and greater confidence in managing everyday tasks independently.
“Partnerships like this help us continue to train highly skilled dogs and deliver vital services that give people and families greater independence, confidence and connection.
“We are incredibly grateful to H&MV Engineering for their ongoing generosity and for choosing to support our work year after year. As we mark 50 years of changing lives, their commitment is a wonderful reminder of what can be achieved when organisations come together to make a lasting difference.”
Cycling for a Cause
The H&MV Engineering Charity Cycle brings colleagues, partners and supporters together to raise funds for causes that make a meaningful difference in communities across Ireland.
Through its continued support of Irish Guide Dogs, H&MV Engineering is proud to contribute to work that gives people living with sight loss and families of children with autism greater independence and opportunity.
The partnership is about more than fundraising. It is about helping create lasting, positive change and supporting services that have a real impact on people’s everyday lives.
Find out more about Irish Guide Dogs and the work they do at www.guidedogs.ie.
