'We're so proud to help raise a future guide dog'

Evie (left) and Jessica (right) Niblock have looked after Rebel for the past year

A family who raised a puppy before its official guide dog training said they were proud to be helping others.

For the past year, Jessica Niblock and her daughter Evie, from Suffolk, have looked after Rebel in their home as part of a Guide Dogs puppy-raising scheme.

They recently said an emotional goodbye to Rebel, who is now ready for his specialised training. But despite letting him go, they said they would do it all over again.

The Guide Dogs charity has encouraged others to volunteer to be "puppy raisers" for the first 12-16 months of their lives, as there is a long waiting list for guide dogs.

Rebel has gone onto his official guide dog training

"We're proud of him for making it this far and hopefully he'll go on and change someone's life," said Miss Niblock.

"Knowing the impact that it will have, it's a no brainer as to why you wouldn't try and help somebody else.

"It's been so great to watch him grow in his training and progress. We're super proud of him for getting here."

Mrs Niblock said that while there was now a Rebel-shaped hole in their hearts, being able to help others was why they signed up.

"He's going to be great and we know he's going to do good," she added.

"He's a lovely, lovely dog. Whoever has him will be really, really pleased."

The family was inspired after hearing BBC Correspondent Sean Dilley's personal story highlighting the positive impact a guide dog can have for someone who is visually impaired.

The Niblock's will receive updates on Rebel's training journey

Helena Gibbons, canine operations manager at Guide Dogs charity, said the region had a "reasonable waiting list" for guide dogs.

"It's higher than we want it to be," she said.

"We are in urgent need of more volunteers to help us with getting our puppies into training.

"A guide dog makes a world of difference to someone who is visually impaired.

"It's incredible to watch a guide dog get out there with its partner and to see people be truly independent, choose when they go out, where they go... and that starts with being a puppy raiser all the way through fostering."

Jill Allen-King OBE has been blind since she was 24-years-old

Jill Allen-King OBE, from Essex, is a campaigner and she has been waiting more than a year for a new guide dog.

She had her first guide dog in 1972 after going blind at the age of 24, and had never had to wait for a dog.

"All I've got now is my husband, who has got Alzheimer's, to take me out for walks just around the block, and we can't go very far," she explained.

"Of course, I'm finding all the obstacles on the pavement.

"When you have a guide dog, they will take you around all the overhanging branches and where there are cars on the pavement."