Original article by Nicki Cockburn, North Wales Weekly News.
Ms Nicki Cockburn, a totally blind lady from Llandudno, writes an article of thanks:
'Nineteen years ago I had a phone-call which changed my life forever!
It was from the guide Dogs Organisation. They wanted to bring a dog which they thought would be a suitable match for me.
Vale was a gorgeous Golden Retriever who gave me so much confidence. She was well-known in Llandundo where I lived at the time.
I remember my friend asking me one day: 'Is Vale supposed to be carrying a pork pie round in her mouth?' She'd stolen it from a big department store.
In 2006 I trained with my second guide dog, a little black Labrador called Chelsea.
In 2007 I decided to do a long distance walk, from Port Vale football club to Chelsea football club.
190 miles and £11,500 later I'd raised enough to name two guide dogs.
I started training with my third guide dog, yellow Labrador James last year.
My father passed away in 2012 and I wanted o raise £5,000 for Guide Dogs. This would allow me to name a dog John, after dad.
I decided to walk from Chelsea Road in Bath to James Street in Cardiff where I now live. I started the walk on September 4 this year, which would have been Dad's birthday. It took 6 days and was 72 miles. It involved a lot of walking on difficult paths.
I also had the added challenge of walking across the old Severn Bridge, which was fine, until a huge lorry drove by and made it shudder and shake!
I'll always remember the smell of lavender which seemed to be everywhere along the route.
I WANTED TO WRITE THIS PIECE TO SAY A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE PEOPLE OF NORTH WALES.
They have been incredibly generous in both their support and contributions to the walk.
The local bridge clubs in North Wales, the Llandudno Lions club and Queens Road Church Llandudno are just some of the amazing people who've helped me exceed my original target.
Some of my friends stood with me on Llandudno prom in the rain, but we still managed to raise almost £200.
In a few months time I will find out what breed of puppy John is.
Mum and I even get to meet him which will be very emotional.
ALL I KNOW IS THAT HE'S GOING TO CHANGE A BLIND PERSON'S LIFE - THE WAY VALE, CHELSEA AND JAMES DID FOR ME.