-----Original Message----- From: Campaigns - Email Address: Campaigns@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent On: 01/04/2011 16:08 Sent To: James White - Email Address: James.White@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Join Guide Dogs for a march, lobby of Parliament and rally on May 11th! Hello, Apologies if you have already received this email this week, if you are one of our online activists, you may have already seen this, but we are keen to get the message to as many people as possible! The Hardest Hit - Defending Disabled People's Futures: Join Guide Dogs for a march, lobby of Parliament and rally on May 11th! You may have heard that Guide Dogs, along with over 40 other organisations and groups of disabled people are supporting a march, a lobby of Parliament and a rally on May 11th to voice anger and concern at the cuts threatening benefits, services, jobs and rights. The march is being organized by the UK Disabled People's Council (UKDPC), and we want as many of our supporters and guide dog owners as possible to attend! Where and when? On May 11th we will gather for the march from 11.30am on the Embankment by Horseguards Avenue. It will start at 12.30pm and take in Victoria Embankment, Bridge Street, Parliament Square, Millbank and finish in Dean Stanley Street at around 1.30pm. We expect the lobby to take place in Westminster Hall and to run between 2.30pm and 5.30pm. Everyone hoping to see their MP during the afternoon is encouraged to write in advance to get an appointment. The Rally will take place in Methodist Central Hall (close to the Houses of Parliament) with speeches between 3pm and 3.30pm. What do you need to do? Come along on May 11th and bring your family and friends! We hope for at least 10,000 people on the march. Register via the UKDPC website (http://bit.ly/gdX0jh) to let us know that you're coming and what access needs you have. If you're planning to lobby your MP, write to request a meeting on May 11th. You're much more likely to get to see them if you do. If you are not sure who your MP is, please visit http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/ and enter your postcode. If you need help with writing a letter, please email campaigns@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx If you want to come to the rally, book a place. Space is limited in Methodist Central Hall - sign up on the UKDPC website (http://bit.ly/gdX0jh). Transport Unfortunately Guide Dogs won't be able to financially assist people to come on the May 11th. The RNIB are able to offer some limited assistance. This includes coaches from Norwich, Birmingham and Bristol, as well as trains from Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool. If you wish to take advantage of this transport assistance please contact either your regional RNIB office (http://bit.ly/h97DTV) or the RNIB Campaigns Hotline on 020 7391 2123 to find out more and book your place. If you are keen to come on May 11th and plan to make your own way to London there will be support available on the day in the form of guides and stewards. You will still need to register (http://bit.ly/gdX0jh) to say that you are coming. Please note that this is likely to be a very busy march with a lot of people attending. If you are concerned about taking your guide dog with you, please contact your local District Team and they will advise you. If you have any other questions, please contact James White on 0118 983 8307 or email campaigns@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Thank you for your continued support. Kind regards Caroline Weston Senior Public Affairs Officer Guide Dogs Tel: 0118 983 8388 Mob: 07920 28 5756 Support our Talking Buses Campaign. Simply click on the link below and email your MP today with our letter. It takes just two minutes http://e-activist.com/ea-campaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=113&ea. campaign.id=5107 Ask your MP to sign EDM 12. Celebrating 80 years of extraordinary partnerships The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association Registered Office: Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 3YG. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (291646) and a charity registered in England and Wales (209617) and Scotland (SC038979). Tel: 0118 9835555 Website: www.guidedogs.org.uk Email: guidedogs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx