Midsomer Norton and Radstock Inner Wheel members were recently treated to an inspiring talk by author, speaker and Great Grandmother, Linda Dowsett, who has now raised nearly £20,000 to train guide dogs for the blind.

Over the years, Linda and her late husband, Gordon, had become celebrities in Trowbridge for their sense of fun and contribution to the community. But when both became critically ill in 2011 and her husband died, she became determined to collect money for the guide dogs to keep his memory alive.

It took two years to raise the £5,000 needed to train guide dog ‘Gordon’ and since then, Linda has gone on to raise the same sums for Jim and Rosie, with her efforts continuing for Max, and then Tilly, for whom she will summon up the courage to do a sponsored parachute jump in September.

Spurred on by her grandson, Ashley, Linda also was a contestant on TV’s Weakest Link programme, where she was told she would cross Anne Robinson at her peril. She did not win, but expanded on many amusing moments. On behalf of members, Linda was heartily thanked by Brenda Whitchurch and presented with a cheque towards guide dog training.