$100K Raised In Honour of Henry

When Charlotte was matched with See Differently Guide Dog Henry, 12 years ago, she says he gave her an immediate sense of freedom, confidence, and trust she’d never known.

Charlotte had experienced vision issues since birth, believed to be the result of a congenital condition. However, it wasn’t until 2013, when a sudden deterioration caused her to lose her sight completely, that her life changed in an instant.

That same year, Charlotte was matched with Henry.

“He changed my life in ways I could never imagine,” Charlotte said.

“The freedom I had, being able to walk down the street on my own, going to Adelaide or interstate, it’s indescribable. It’s hard to believe you can put all your trust into four paws and two eyes.”

That partnership sparked Charlotte’s passion for community fundraising. Since then, she’s raised more than $100,000 for See Differently’s life-changing Guide & Assistance Dog program.

 “I wanted to give back because this dog was going to give my life back,” Charlotte said.

What started as a $2 raffle outside the local shops in her country town soon grew into high teas, bingo nights, cookbooks, and luncheons. Eventually, Charlotte turned her attention to organising fundraising dinners. She recently hosted her third at the Glenelg Golf Club, with more than 130 guests and almost $20,000 raised.

[Image Description: Charlotte and her parents stand with members of the See Differently Executive Leadership team, smiling at the camera. In the centre of the photo is a Paws for Celebration banner.]

This year’s dinner was particularly emotional, held in memory of her beloved Henry, who died in December.

Henry retired from working life in 2020 but remained with Charlotte as a much-loved companion. The same year, she was paired with her current guide dog, Zeke.

“He meant everything to me,” Charlotte said.

“He was one of a kind. He was the best first guide dog you could ask for. When I got him, he was just under two years old, and he was described to me as an old dog in a young body – and he was exactly that. He was serious about his work and he knew he was there for me…he knew he had to look after me.”

Community fundraising, Charlotte said, has also opened doors to new friendships and a wider community.

“Henry and Zeke changed my life. It’s only fair to do my part to help someone else get a life-changing guide or assistance dog.”

“I’ve met people I wouldn’t have met before, and I’ve made life-long friends,” Charlotte said.

She’s got next year’s date locked in, too, on Friday 14 August 2026 at the Royal Adelaide Golf Club.

If you’re feeling inspired to organise your own community fundraiser, like Charlotte? Here’s how to get started >> https://bit.ly/SeeDifferentlyCommunityFundraising