GREENOCK’S Oak Mall staff are starting a very worthwhile venture tomorrow, and they hope the ever-generous Inverclyde public will back them all the way.

The aim is to collect £10,000 for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association so that the staff can name a guide dog puppy and support it during the first two years of training.

The most inspiring guide dog owner I’ve met is John Craynor of Port Glasgow, who lost his sight as a result of an accident.

John has never let the lack of sight get him down. He travelled all over the country with his wife, Mary, and a succession of clever guide dogs, to raise money for the Association.

Indeed, he was so determined and successful that his fabulous fundraising was rewarded with an MBE in 1992.

It’s hard to imagine what it must be like to be without sight, although I tried it briefly for a story a few years ago.

Accompanied by an Association staff member, I walked down West Blackhall Street blindfolded, nervously gripping the reins of a patient guide dog.

Bins and other obstacles got in the way, and I became jumpy at noises you would normally ignore, like car horns, laughter or loud voices.

I was more than slightly relieved to take off the blindfold.

So let’s do our best to support the Oak Mall’s efforts, and provide one of these wonderful guide dogs for a blind person.