Angela Blackwell and her guide dog, Jaydee, became the first blind-person-and-dog duo to complete the Pondo Trail, and have now raised enough money to sponsor four guide dog puppies.

• Angela Blackwell and her guide dog, Jaydee, became the first blind-person-and-dog duo to complete the challenging 65km Pondo Trail along the Eastern Cape coast.
• After losing her vision in 2021 due to retinitis pigmentosa, Blackwell undertook this extraordinary journey to raise funds for the SA Guide-Dogs Association.
• Her “Paws on the Path” campaign has now surpassed its R500 000 goal, which will sponsor four future guide dogs to change the lives of other visually impaired people.

Back in February, Angela Blackwell and her guide dog, Jaydee, became the first blind-person-and-dog duo to complete the 65km Pondo Trail.

The trek formed part of Blackwell’s Paws on the Path campaign, which aimed to raise R500 000 for the SA Guide-Dogs Association – enough to sponsor four adorable puppies that will one day become life-changing companions for visually impaired people.

Now, after months of grassroots fundraising, media support and the successful completion of the trail, Blackwell has surpassed her ambitious half-a-million-rand target.

“I’m completely blown away by the generosity, kindness, and belief shown by so many people,” she said this week. “What started as one woman and her guide dog taking on an extraordinary stretch of coastline became something much bigger – a community of people coming together to create life-changing impact.”

News24 reported on her story back in February. Blackwell, nicknamed Angel, abruptly lost her vision in 2021 owing to retinitis pigmentosa. In an instant, her world completely changed.

The Cape Town resident had to go from living her life as a top-level tech marketing executive to suddenly navigating life in the dark.

“It wasn’t easy. I never thought that I would do something like this, but we can overcome adversity, and I found my way. The big turning point in my vision-loss journey was getting my guide dog, Jaydee. It changed a lot of things for me.”

READ | Blind woman and trusty dog complete 65km Pondo Trail, raising R300k

Blackwell and Jaydee spent many months training to get themselves “match fit” to endure the trail with Wild Child Africa and 20 of her closest friends.

They covered a wide variety of terrain – including grassy embankments – crossed rivers, and descended rock faces. They stayed in Savannah tents and weathered evening rain and daytime sun, starting out on day one on a beach that was accessed by boat.

Her companionship with Jaydee was crucial, helping her through the trickiest parts of the trail.

She said:

“My husband, Matt, made us an extended handle, and it helped Jaydee lead me. You know, ’n boer maak ’n plan.”

After an emotional final day reaching the end, and then returning home to Cape Town, Blackwell said she felt incredibly privileged.

“It was a unique, one-of-a-kind experience with my 20 closest people and my wonderful dog.

“There was so much sensory experience for me. The feeling of the wind and the breeze [when] you’re hot and sweaty, the sound of the ocean, it was always nearby … the birds, the trees, and the gentle plod of my guide dog. It was wonderful.”

With the fundraising goal now reached, Blackwell said the broader mission of awareness continued – leveraging her growing platform and upcoming speaking engagements to share her message of resilience and hope.

“Reaching this goal means that four future guide dogs will one day change four lives forever,” she added. “That is the real legacy of this journey – not the kilometres walked, but the independence, mobility, and freedom that will now be passed on to someone else.”

The SA Guide-Dogs Association could not be prouder of Blackwell’s achievement and said her contribution would help four others immensely.

“Angela’s journey has inspired thousands of people across South Africa,” said Jade Carlson, the association’s national marketing manager.

“Not only did she challenge perceptions around blindness and adventure, but through Paws on the Path, she has directly contributed to changing lives. The sponsorship of four future guide dogs is an outstanding achievement and a testament to the power of purpose, perseverance, and community.”

Paws on a Path had raised R500 002 at the time of writing. Donations are now closed but you can see the BackaBuddy link here or follow Angela’s ongoing journey on Instagram.

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