Warwick man with sight loss takes on 12-Hour piano marathon challenge for Guide Dogs
Playing an instrument for 12 hours straight would be a major challenge for anyone but what if you also have sight loss? That’s the challenge a Warwick man will be taking on next month as he prepares to play the piano for 12 hours, hoping to raise enough money to name a Guide Dog puppy in memory of his close friend and colleague Elaine Hooton, who died in March.
John Garrett, who works for the sight loss charity Guide Dogs, will perform everything from Christmas songs to well-known favourites to keep spirits high throughout the marathon session, which will take place at ASDA in Leamington Spa on Friday 12th December between 8am-8pm. Friends, family, and members of the community are warmly invited to stop by to show their support and can even request a song.
“As long as someone asks for it, I’ll give it a go — I know a lot of songs!” said John. “It’s going to be a long day, but thinking of Elaine will keep me going.”
Elaine, who sadly died in March, worked as John’s access assistant at Guide Dogs for more than 11 years and was also a dedicated volunteer for the charity, fostering 21 puppies. Naming a puppy after her, John says, feels like “the most fitting tribute.”
“Elaine was more than a colleague; she was a fiercely loyal friend who always went the extra mile. A gift in so many ways, an inspiration, a great laugh and pure fun to be around,” John said. “Naming a puppy after Elaine feels like the right way to honour such an incredible example of human goodness and kindness.”
A lifelong musician, John first learned to play the piano more than 50 years ago before he completely lost his sight aged 23. “When I lost my sight entirely, my first thought was, ‘How am I going to make a cup of tea?’ The next thought was, ‘How am I going to play the piano?”
“But I kept going”.
As John learnt how to live without his sight, his relationship with music changed, and it took a while for playing and listening to regain their importance. After studying music at college, John went on to play in his local church, form his own jazz band in Warwickshire, record an album, and work on other musical collaborations. He plays piano most days, with his fifth guide dog Enzo never too far away and says that losing his vision never stopped — or even slowed — his passion for performing, even though he now learns new songs just from ear.
John hopes that by sharing his story and honouring Elaine’s legacy, he can help ensure others with sight loss receive the independence and companionship that Enzo enriches his life with. “We would be grateful for any contribution, large or small,” he added. “So that someone like me can be guided through life by a dog as special as the wonderful woman this puppy will be named after.”
Name a Puppy provides people with the opportunity to be at the heart of a guide dog puppy's story. As well as providing a puppy with a special gift of a name, they will follow their journey as they aspire to become a future life-changer. For donations of £2,500 or more you can choose a pup’s name, but for £5,000, which John is aiming to raise, you will receive a personalised snapshot of their first year.
Miles Northwood, Community fundraising manager for Guide Dogs praised John’s dedication: “We’re incredibly proud of John for taking on such an inspirational challenge. His fundraising will help us continue providing life-changing support for people living with sight loss. Acts like his make a real difference.”