A SAUNDERSFOOT woman has been honoured with a Lifetime of Service award after completing 50 years of fundraising for Guide Dogs.

Eva Rich, of Saundersfoot, travelled to Cardiff to accept the honour at an awards ceremony to mark Volunteers Week. The award was presented by Guide Dogs’ chief executive, Andrew Lennox.

The audience heard that Eva has been a guide dog owner for 63 years and has had seven guide dogs in that time. Each dog’s name was read out in turn, and Eva told the audience she was looking forward to being matched with guide dog number eight after Nancy, a Labrador cross retriever, had to be withdrawn.

Eva was accompanied to the event by Pembrokeshire’s collection box co-ordinator, Lynn Knibbs. They made the long trip home with a bouquet, certificate, badge and commemorative plate bearing the image of a guide dog.

A busy year lies ahead to mark the group’s half-century, which will see the group’s popular Saundersfoot Harbour stall go from strength to strength. If you’d like to volunteer help, please visit www.guidedogs.org.uk