Guide Dogs Scotland – Official Charity Partner

Forfar Athletic are delighted to announce Guide Dogs Scotland as our new official charity partner for the 2025/26 season, as they celebrate their 60th anniversary here in Forfar.

On Saturday, we invited Guide Dogs Scotland to the Alpha Projects Stadium @ Station Park for our match with Stirling Albion, where guide dog puppy Alun and trainee guide dog Piper joined the Loons players and staff to formally announce the new partnership.

Heather Wilson, a guide dog trainer, and Anne Peake, a volunteer puppy raiser, explained their respective roles and what is involved in creating life-changing guide dog partnerships. Initially Heather and Anne were joined by Loons’ captain Stuart Morrison, before having the opportunity to meet the rest of the squad.

Robin Beattie, FAFC Director, said: “Forfar Athletic are so proud to be partnering with Guide Dogs Scotland. Given the charity’s proud 60-year history here in Forfar, it feels long overdue that we should come together in this way. I remember visiting the Guide Dogs centre as a child in the early 90s and being absolutely amazed at the things that the guide dogs were capable of.

“We were delighted to welcome Jon Attenborough and his late guide dog Sam to Station Park last year. Jon and Sam became the first person and dog duo to complete ‘the 42’. Jon told us that he specifically chose Forfar to complete the challenge, as it is home to the Guide Dogs Scotland training school. Jon and Sam’s story is just one example of the fantastic work that Guide Dogs Scotland do in our communities.

“On Saturday, Stuart and I were honoured to meet Alun and Piper. The feeling was clearly mutual as they were so excited to meet Stuart that they could barely sit still for a photo! They picked a great match to come to and they must have brought us good luck on the day. They are accordingly welcome back at Station Park any time!

“Everyone at Forfar Athletic is looking forward to supporting this wonderful charity, and to help to raise awareness of the fantastic, life changing work that they do.”

The partnership comes as Guide Dogs Scotland celebrate 60 years in Forfar, with their original centre being opened in 1965 by Princess Alexandra. In 2008, they moved to their current world-class training facility at Orchardbank Business Park.

Kyla McVicar, Business Development Manager at Guide Dogs, said: “Guide Dogs is immensely proud of our history within Forfar and thankful to everyone in the community who has supported us. As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we are excited to have partnered with Forfar Athletic and look forward to working with them throughout the coming season.

“By teaming up with Forfar Athletic, we hope to raise awareness of our life-changing services, while promoting opportunities for the community to get involved in our work.

“We have a number of exciting volunteer roles, from raising or fostering our dogs to fundraising, and we appreciate the club’s support in highlighting these.”

To find out more about how you can support Guide Dogs Scotland and make a difference in people’s lives, please visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer.