Two New Irish Guide Dog Puppies on the way as New Initiative launched

Two New Irish Guide Dog Puppies on the way as New Initiative launched

• Maxol to donate 50c for every scan of its loyalty app to raise vital funds for two new guide dog puppies
• Every scan counts says Maxol CEO at launch of fundraising initiative for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind

Every Scan Counts – a new fundraising initiative supporting the training of guide dogs like Polly, who helped launch Maxol’s campaign for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind – was launched today. Through the programme, Maxol will donate 50c to Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind every time a customer scans their Maxol loyalty app at the till. The contribution comes entirely from Maxol, at no cost to customers.

There is no limit to the number of times a customer can scan their app at the till. And, with each one sending another 50c from Maxol to the charity, whether purchasing a ROSA Coffee or a top up shop – Every Scan Counts.  A guide dog costs approximately €53,000 to train and support across its working lifetime and Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind relies on donations to continue its life-changing work.

Maxol’s Every Scan Counts initiative empowers everyone in the community to support life-changing services for those who are visually impaired and families of children with autism, through one simple action.

Brian Donaldson, CEO of The Maxol Group, Ireland’s leading family-owned forecourt and convenience retailer, shared his appreciation for the life-changing impact of guide dogs: “Our loyalty app was initially developed to reward our customers but now, we’re using that same technology to extend the benefits to a really important cause.

“We are giving back on behalf of our loyal customers, working with our retailers, and the wider community to make a difference and fund the training of two new puppies. The highly trained, intuitive dogs provide not only confidence but also independence to individuals, so every scan brings us closer to changing and enhancing someone’s life.”

Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind CEO Tim O’Mahony said: “Maxol’s continued support helps us meet the growing demand for guide dogs to those who are vision impaired and assistance dogs to the families of children with autism. Our dogs don’t just change lives; they transform entire families and initiatives like ‘Every Scan Counts’ help us to empower our clients to live more independently and inclusively in their communities.”

Maxol, together with its retailers and customers have already helped fund the training of three dogs, Polly, Otto and Daisy across the island of Ireland, through its support of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and Guide Dogs Northern Ireland. In total, Maxol hopes to train six dogs across the island of Ireland. With many visually impaired individuals facing isolation and challenges in everyday activities, such as shopping, working, and socialising, guide dogs provide a vital lifeline, offering safety, mobility, and independence.

Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind also provides invaluable support for families of children with autism, a part of the charity’s service that is not as widely known. For children with autism, assistance dogs serve as a calming presence, aiding in behaviour regulation and enhancing social skills and confidence.

Every Scan Counts will run across selected Maxol stores in the Republic of Ireland until Maxol reaches its target for the charity.

The Maxol Loyalty App is free to download from the Apple and Google Play store.

For more information, visit www.maxol.ie or https://www.guidedogs.ie/.