Liliana Russell, sight impaired Catholic Education Office Diversity, Wellbeing and Inclusion Officer and her faithful guide dog April, participated in PAWGUST 2020. PAWGUST is a fun, yet challenging event that encourages physical activity while raising funds for Guide Dogs Australia.

“PAWGUST is an opportunity to raise awareness of an exemplary organisation who assist visually impaired people, like myself, in a life changing way,” said Liliana.

Liliana and April walked 30 minutes every day, for 30 days, raising over $3000 for Guide Dogs Australia. Liliana feels blessed to have April in her life and this was her way of paying it forward.

“April, my gorgeous 3 year old guide dog and I were united through Guide Dogs Australia when my sight started to deteriorate rapidly in 2018,” said Liliana. “April gives me mobility, independence and confidence to continue being active at work, with my family and socially. This has been a life changing experience for me.”

It costs over $50,000 to breed, raise and train one Guide Dog pup to enhance the mobility and independence of vision impaired Australians. Guide Dogs Australia provides a range of services that ensure people with vision loss remain active and involved members of the community.

“April and I participated in PAWGUST to say thank you to Guide Dogs Australia for bringing us together and for their ongoing support,” said Liliana. “They are truly a wonderful organisation that I feel very privileged to be involved with.”