Move Over Gnasher! The Beano Features Hester and her Guide Dog, Pickle

Move over Gnasher!  As part of a new strip, Beano, Britain’s longest-running comic is set to feature guide dogs for the first time, and in the new story, Hester Poole, a Year 12 pupil at KES, together with her real-life guide dog, Pickle, are portrayed visiting Bash Street School.

The special comic strip story in Beano is part of a collaboration between Beano and the Guide Dogs, to help raise awareness of the impact sight loss can have on young people. In the new story, Hester’s visit prompts the gang to visit a Guide Dog centre after Erbert, who already wears glasses, admits to his friends that his eyesight is getting worse, and he has been diagnosed with sight loss.

Along with Hester and Pickle, the Bash Street Kids also meet Alex and his buddy dog Chance and find out more about how Guide Dogs can help support young people.

“It’s been a super-cool experience to find myself featured in a comic I’ve known since childhood,” said Hester. “I’ve grown up with Dennis and Gnasher so it’s definitely surreal to see myself alongside them!”

The Beano strip story - A Buddy for Life - will also be available on audio for the first time, tailored specifically for people with visual impairments.

You can visit Guide Dogs | The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association to find out more about the work of Guide Dogs, and how to volunteer or support their work.