A group set up to support charitable causes and improve the lives of people living with a vision impairment, has named a guide dog puppy in honour of its chairperson.

Members of St Andrews VIPs, voted for the name “Fergus” in honour of Pat Ferguson.

Pat is currently residing at a care home in Cupar and was delighted to meet Danny Rooney, who presented her with a photograph and copy of Fergus’ birth certificate.

Danny, from St Andrews, is a volunteer puppy raiser for Guide Dogs Scotland, with his current pup Vecta being the 20th he has raised for the charity.

Guide dog puppy Fergus was named in honour of Pat Ferguson (Pic: Contributed)

placeholder image — Guide dog puppy Fergus was named in honour of Pat Ferguson (Pic: Contributed)

He was accompanied by Annette Birkett, chairperson, Jean Stewart, secretary, and fellow volunteer Katie Jones.

Danny said: “Congratulations to St Andrews VIP club on their fundraising and donations to name a guide dog puppy Fergus.

“Guide Dogs’ Name a Puppy scheme makes a huge difference to the lives of people with sight loss and has been used by organisations , groups and individuals to honour loved ones.

“By naming a puppy, the club is helping Guide Dogs Scotland to train more pups, reducing waiting times, and this ultimately enables people to lead active and independent lives.”

Fergus is now nearly five-months-old and living with a volunteer puppy raiser, who will teach basic commands and provide the foundation for him becoming a life-changing guide dog for someone with sight loss.

After around 14 months, Fergus will begin formal training with Guide Dogs Scotland at their Forfar Regional Centre.

> St Andrews VIPs is open to new members. It meets on Monday afternoons between 2:00pm and 3:30pm at St Andrews New Kirk @ St Mark’s Church Hall - formerly Hope Park - from October to May, and in St Andrews Botanic Garden Boiler House in the summer.

It has a varied programme of speakers, musical groups, exercises, crafts and quizzes, plus regular scrabble and dominoes.