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Bequest Story:

Barbara

Barbara Bedford has an incredible history with Guide Dogs Victoria. Barb’s interest in Guide Dogs first began as an avid dog lover back in the 60’s when she asked to become a dog walker. Back then we didn’t have the number of volunteers we have today and she was knocked back. Luckily for us, that didn’t deter Barb at all. She persisted and eventually became a walker for our brood mums. In 1983, she went on to volunteer as a Puppy Raiser.

Not just dedicating time to the dogs, Barb also assisted our clients during their training. This can often be an emotional time for clients and Barbara would provide some respite from the training with activities from shopping excursions to simply having a cup of tea and a friendly chat.

In 1985, Barbara was asked to work in the Nursery, assisting with the whelping of puppies. For eight years she was a dedicated member of staff and saw many puppies born and raised in the centre.

Even now, some 40 years later she says she “still gets the same buzz from holding a Guide Dog puppy”. Which is why in retirement, Barb has never really left Guide Dogs Victoria! She is here every week as a volunteer and has pioneered many programs including specialised attention for young pups, recreation for boarding dogs and archiving photos to document and preserve the history of Guide Dogs Victoria.

Unfortunately in August 2008, a tragic road accident took the life of Hannah, Barb’s beautiful young granddaughter, at just 17 years of age. Hannah had brought happiness into the lives of many people and in Hannah’s memory her family urge everyone to do ‘a Hannah’, by showing kindness and goodwill to others. Given her long association with Guide Dogs Victoria, Barbara knew that she wanted to honour her memory by naming a Guide Dog puppy Hannah.

“My hope is that Hannah will become a Guide Dog but, if this is not her destiny, I know she will make a wonderful, loving and loyal companion to someone bringing happiness and a sense of purpose to their life” Barbara explains.

While in the process of updating her Will, Barbara and her husband Marten both decided to leave a bequest to Guide Dogs Victoria. They felt it was the right time to consider a bequest, not only to honour Hannah but to support a cause she so passionately believes in.

At Guide Dogs Victoria we are inspired by the work Barbara has contributed and grateful to her and her husband for the life-changing gift she has provided by leaving a bequest. Through their generosity, we can continue to provide freedom and independence to Victorians with low vision or blindness.

If you would like to ‘do a Hannah’ by assisting Victorians with vision loss, please contact our Bequest office on (03) 9854 4444 for a free information kit and personal Will profile.

Find out more about Bequests

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