A pair of extraordinary canines were joined by an entourage of supporters as they embarked on a fundraising walk Needham Lake.

Stowmarket guide dogs Edward and Opal were thrust into the national spotlight after The EADT told their amazing story earlier this year.

For years, Edward had been the faithful companion of Graham Waspe but sadly began losing his sight last summer and had to have his eyes removed.

But Mr Waspe, has limited vision in only one of his eyes, and wife Sandra found a talented new guide dog and friend for Edward in Opal and the two hounds have since become local celebrities.

Sunday’s stroll around Needham Lake gave well-wishers the chance to meet Edward and Opal as they helped raise funds for the Guide Dogs charity.

The pair enjoyed meeting admirers and taking donations while the Waspes let everyone know more about the charity, which provides mobility and freedom to blind and partially sighted people and campaigns for the rights of people with visual impairment, educates the public about eye care and funds eye disease research.

In March, The EADT met eight-year-old Edward and his new pal, two-year-old bitch Opal. After developing inoperable cataracts, Edward was forced into retirement from his role as Mr Waspe’s companion - a responsibility he had loyally fulfilled for six years.

He was already well known and hugely popular at schools and community groups around Suffolk that Mr Waspe and his wife, who live in Danescourt Avenue, had visited for many years to talk about the Guide Dogs charity, the training guide dogs go through and the ways they help their owners.

As well as awareness raising visits, Mr and Mrs Waspe also carry out regular fundraising and run a local Guide Dogs charity group.

One of their more recent collections outside a Stowmarket supermarket raised an impressive �1,601.83 and they even convinced two Stowmarket Specsavers employees, who have met them in the past, to do a charity skydive.

For more about guide dogs for the blind, call the Waspes on 01449 615080.