A BLIND woman from Pwllheli who got her first guide dog in lockdown said it has transformed her life.

Former teaching assistant Nia Hicks-Brew lost her sight aged 27, when she had just given birth to son Iwan.

Her eye condition, Retinitis Pigmentosa, forced her to give up work and left Nia fearing for the future.

“It was like going through grief,” said Nia.

“I started using a long cane but I was not getting out much. “I suffered anxiety and had a lot of falls.

I got through it with the help of friends and family, but I have only five per cent vision remaining in each eye.”

Nia applied for a guide dog and, despite the difficulties posed by lockdown, was delighted to be matched with yellow Labrador retriever Una.

The pair learnt to work together as a partnership in Pwllheli, thanks to Guide Dogs mobility specialist Amy John.

“It feels like Una has been with me forever,” said Nia.

“We bonded straight away and the family love her. Iwan is 12 now and she’s his best friend.

“Una is still only three and lively when she’s not working - for example, when I take her free running on the beach.

“That’s her time.

“But once the harness is on, she is completely focused on the job of keeping me safe, even if other dogs pass by or bark at her.

“Last week I had to travel to hospital in Liverpool and I was so impressed with how she kept me safe in a strange environment.

“She was great on the train too. I would never have had the confidence to go by rail before.”

This month marks 90 years since the first guide dog partnership in Wales, so Nia decided to raise funds for the charity by walking 90km.

“We are out every day round Pwllheli, rain or shine,” said Nia.

“Last week we even went up the mountain at Nant Gwrtheyrn.

“We’ve raised £468 so far, and Guide Dogs have given Una a blue bandana to wear, which makes her look very cute.

“I’m back to my confident self, and last Tuesday we visited Ysgol Chwilog to give a talk.

“The children thought Una was brilliant and the head gave us a £50 donation.

“Una makes me smile every day, and I get quite emotional thinking how things were, but I’m so happy and grateful to Guide Dogs for giving me my independence back.”

To donate to Guide Dogs Cymru, or find out more, visit www.bit.ly/3Ana6Ai or www.guidedogs.co.uk