AN IMPORTANT charity which helps people right across Northern Ireland was celebrated on October 8 when Enniskillen Castle was illuminated in blue to mark 90 years of guide dog partnerships.

One of those who came along to celebrate the illumination was guide dog owner Jean Murray and her guide dog, Heidi.

The pair took a trip down to where Enniskillen Castle was illuminated in stunning blue, marking almost a century of guide dog partnerships.

Jean and her "life-changer" dog, Heidi, have been in a partnership for the past eight years. Jean said: "Heidi is a great dog, and she has been such good company for me for the past few years.

"She is my third guide dog, after Fallon and then Suzie, and you really notice a difference in each of their personalities.

"They’ve each been so fantastic – helping to be my eyes everywhere I need to go.”

The Guide Dogs UK charity began in1931 when the first four guide dogs in the UK were handed over to their new owners, veterans blinded in World War One, in Wallasey, Merseyside. Two innovative women, Muriel Crooke and Rosamund Bond, were behind the initiative.

Closer to home, and there have been 554 partnerships trained and matched in Northern Ireland since 1984 when a Guide Dogs NI base in Northern Ireland was initially established at Lanesborough House.

The charity now resides at the Heron Road in Belfast, with fundraising groups spread right across Northern Ireland, including Fermanagh, which Jean and Heidi are members of.

Jean said: "In all the fundraising activities for Guide Dogs NI, there has only ever been one time I’ve had to say no – I enjoy it that much.”

She was accompanied by other members of the Guide Dogs NI fundraising group, Louise and Kathryn.

Another person who joined in on the celebrations was puppy guide dog raiser Lyn, who was holidaying in the county with puppy Cally, named by another guide dog owner in Northern Ireland.

Cally was very taken by the blue lights of the castle, at one stage almost illuminating herself.

Armagh Gaol, Strule Arts Centre and the Palace Demesne were amongst the other buildings joining in on the celebrations.

If you’d like to donate to Guide Dogs NI’s 90th appeal, you can do so at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/guide-dogs-ni

To join Fermanagh’s fundraising group for Guide Dogs NI contact Gary.Wilson@guidedogs.org.uk.