A West Lothian woman is taking to the skies to raise money for Guide Dogs
Karishma Rogerson is taking part in a nationwide skydive challenge, with more than 110 people signed up across the UK, collectively aiming to raise £100,000 for Guide Dogs. The first Scottish dive this weekend will see Karishma taking to the skies and jumping from 10,000ft, skydiving at speeds up to 120 miles per hour!
Karishma is a volunteer Puppy Raiser for the charity, looking after a puppy full time in her home for 12-16 months, providing the puppy with the essential foundation for its future as a life-changing guide dog. And charity Guide Dogs are calling on more West Lothian locals to consider volunteering as Puppy Raisers.
Karishma, who is currently sharing her home with guide dog puppy Kiwi, explains why she got involved with the charity:
“I know someone with sight loss, and I’ve seen firsthand how much of a difference the guide dog makes in her life. It made me think about how impactful it would be if my life suddenly changed due to sight loss, and I wanted to do something to help. Puppy raising seemed like the perfect option. Not only will the pup go on to do something incredible with its life, but it also brings me so much joy during the time it’s with me.
“I’m really enjoying having a puppy in the house again! It’s been 18 years since I’ve had a puppy, ever since I rescued a dog in the Seychelles. The energy, curiosity, and playfulness of a young dog brings so much life into the home. I also love the challenge and reward of the training process—there’s something new to learn every day. Working with a guide dog puppy requires patience and consistency, and seeing the progress they make is incredibly fulfilling. Plus, the puppy classes are a blast! It’s a great way to connect with other Puppy Raisers and see how the pups interact and grow together.
All in all, it’s been a joy to combine my love for dogs with the opportunity to contribute to such a meaningful cause.”
If you’re considering becoming a volunteer puppy raiser, I’d say go for it! It’s an incredibly rewarding experience knowing that you’re playing a part in changing someone’s life for the better. While it can be challenging at times—puppies are full of energy and require a lot of attention — the support you receive is outstanding. The staff at Guide Dogs are always there to guide you, and you can rely on Guide Dogs’ resources whenever you need extra help.
One of the unexpected perks is the community you become a part of. Through puppy classes and various events, you get to meet other volunteers who share your passion. It’s a great way to connect with like-minded people, share experiences, and learn from each other. Plus, there’s nothing quite like the joy of having a puppy around and knowing that they’re going to go on to do something truly meaningful.”
Karishma decided to take part in the skydive, which the UK wide group have titled ‘Blind Panic,’ after hearing from her friend, who is a guide dog owner, that there may be a wait for a new guide dog when her current one retires. The group hope to raise money to support the charity to provide these life changing guide dogs.
She said: “I’m an adventurous person by nature, and the idea of doing something daring like a skydive to support such a meaningful cause was an easy decision for me.”
To date, the group has raised an incredible £38,000, with more jumps to come including three in Scotland – the first of which takes place in St Andrews on Saturday 7 September.
The group of skydivers, based across the UK, includes Karishma, fellow Guide Dogs volunteers, guide dog owners, charity staff, and their friends and family.
The money raised from the skydive will go to supporting Guide Dogs life-changing services for people living with a vision impairment. Readers can support Karishma’s challenge by visiting here
To find out more, and apply to be a volunteer Puppy Raiser like Karishma, visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer
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