CLIMBING one of Yorkshire's Three Peaks is a tough enough task for anyone.

Yeadon man Kevin Beesting, though, went one better last year - by conquering two of the mountains without the aid of vision.

Mr Beesting, who is virtually blind due to a genetic disorder, undertook the task as part of his many fundraising efforts for Guide Dogs.

He started raising money for the charity in 2016 both to support its work and to get a puppy named after his late father, Lawrence.

Now, with the necessary £5,000 collected, that has happened - and Mr Beesting met Lawrence, an 18 week old Golden Retriever, last week.

He said: "It’s taken some effort to raise five thousand pounds and it’s definitely been a family affair, but knowing this puppy is a life-changer of the future is a great feeling.

"My guide dog, Spencer, has changed my life and I wanted to give something back to Guide Dogs to say thank you.

"I also wanted to give another person with sight loss the ability to get about independently as I do."

Mr Beesting was guided by his sons, Matthew and Adam, on his Three Peaks climb.

He has also had lots of support from his wife, Susan, and friends with the fundraising stalls he has been holding in Otley - with Mrs Beesting's jam and chutney proving popular.

His grandchildren have got involved, too, with granddaughter Molly raising money for the cause by grooming pet dogs.

Lawrence’s puppy walker, David Porritt, said: "Lawrence and I enjoyed meeting Kevin and his family, and of course Spencer who Lawrence definitely took a shine to.

"It’s an honour to be a puppy walker and be trusted with such a valuable puppy for 12 months, and Lawrence is a particularly special one because he has been named in memory of Kevin’s father.

"Lawrence is progressing well, he’s full of energy and mischief and I’ve no doubt he will develop into a fantastic guide dog."

Fundraising Coordinator for Guide Dogs, Charlotte Walton, added: "We’re all so grateful to Kevin and his family for raising this money.

"Five thousand pounds will fund the first year of Lawrence’s training as he starts out on the road to becoming a life changing guide dog."

As well as being a volunteer fundraiser, Mr Beesting is a speaker for Guide Dogs.

He regularly visits schools and other groups, with Spencer, to tell his story of sight loss and how having a guide dog has changed his life.

To find out more about fundraising for Guide Dogs send and e-mail to: charlotte.walton@guidedogs.org.uk .