Alarming statistics have driven Guide Dogs - a charity which provides life-enriching services to people living with visual impairments and sight loss, to call for greater awareness on the issue of illegal access refusals.

It feels like most people are gearing up and excited for the festive season, but sadly, for some it’s a very stressful period.

Are you aware that there is a law around guide and assistance dog owners being allowed to bring their dog with them to access most businesses and services?

Despite the law, did you know that nearly 90% of guide dog owners are refused access to hospitality venues, taxis and shops?

Meet Sue Canham, from Tenby who shockingly was refused 6 taxis in a row at Cardiff train station once! Sue has been helping Guide Dogs to promote its ‘Open Doors’ campaign after she and her guide dog Henry were refused a table twice by staff at a seaside restaurant in her home town.

The first time, Sue and her friend were shown a table and were about to sit down when a member of staff told them - ‘Oh I didn’t realise you had a dog. You will have to sit in the dog area.’

Sue refused to move, explaining that Henry was a guide dog, and the member of staff went off to speak to the manager. A second staff member came over and told Sue to move to the dog area. Again she refused.

After speaking to the manager, he came back apologising, telling Sue that it was now ok to stay where she was. Yet, a few weeks later, Sue went back to the same restaurant with her partner and again staff said they had to sit in the dog area, claiming they didn’t have any other tables.

The couple left, and soon afterwards Sue’s partner phoned the restaurant anonymously asking if they had any tables available, to be told yes, they did.

They haven’t been back since.

“It upset me more that it was local, and the staff would have been local,” she remarked.

“People working there should know. It’s a small community and I’ve appeared in the local paper. They know I’m genuine.”

In more positive news, Sue was recently honoured by Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS) at its 2024 awards ceremony.

Sue won the individual over-25 category for her work with Country Cars, which provides transport for people who have essential journeys and can't reach their destination any other way.

The scheme uses volunteer drivers who use their own cars, and Sue co-ordinates the bookings, working from home.

Sue said: “I’m not well enough to hold a job. Strokes caused me to lose vision and I suffer waves of tiredness, as well as nausea and motion sickness.”

Sue and Henry were invited to accept the award at a gala dinner in the Queen’s Hall, Narberth. It was presented by Dr Neil Wooding, Chair of Hywel Dda University Health Board.

Sue said: “It was a lovely evening. I believe all volunteers deserve recognition.”

For more information on the charity’s access refusal campaign, visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/opendoors