WESTBURY’S Person of the Year 2013 is Hilary Reed, a fundraiser and puppy walker for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.
Hundreds of votes were received in the competition, organised by the White Horse News to find the person who has had the most impact on life in the town during 2013, with Hilary coming out ahead of three other candidates.
Hilary has been looking after and training puppies before they start their Guide dog training, for the past 32 years.
She also fundraises for the Guide Dogs charity and gives talks creating awareness of the charity. Hilary has given talks to a variety of organisations including church groups, the WI, and Brownies.
“I’m very surprised, so thrilled to have won and also chuffed as this will help raise awareness for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association,” said Hilary. “I do what I do because it’s such a worthwile cause but I also get lots out of it myself; it is so rewarding.”
Ian Drew, editor of the White Horse News, presented the winner’s shield last week. Ian said, “I’d like to congratulate Hilary on being this year’s winner of the ‘Person of the Year’ competition. All of the nominees work extremely hard for their local community and they all have reason to be proud. We hope this award helps to highlight all the fantastic work which is carried out to help make Westbury such a great town.”
Hilary trains the puppies from the age of seven weeks to 14 months, and her skills include house training, teaching obedience, taking them to shops, on buses and trains, and socialising them with other dogs and people.
Hilary ensures the puppies are ready for their full training before they are paired with their blind/partially sighted partner.
Not only does Hilary work tirelessly with Guide dogs, but for the past 18 months she has also volunteered at Frome Memorial Theatre saying, “This is something nice to do to give back; I enjoy the theatre myself and love being a part of it.”
Other nominees for the Person of the Year were Roy Inwood, who is the Christmas Tree Festival organiser and chair of the Westbury Music and Arts Festival; Cherry Lewis, who works on Project 300 which sends refurbished computers to the Philippines; and Pat Maslin, an active member of the Scouts since 1979.
• There is an annual fund-raising skittles night on Saturday 8th February at Dilton Marsh Services Club which Hilary is helping to organise. Players will be blindfolded and all money raised will go towards training the Guide dogs.
Hilary says, “Although raising money for the charity is very important, we also like to raise awareness and have some fun at the same time! Everyone is invited so please come along.”
