A fundraiser hosted by the Bethlehem Te Puna Lions went to the dogs, literally.

More than 45 people and a number of pooches turned for the Lions' Blind Foundation Guide Dog Puppy and Coffee fundraiser which took place at Te Puna Quarry on Saturday morning.

Bethlehem Te Puna Lions Club member and organiser Howard Strahan says the event gave people a chance to meet some of the local service puppies that are currently being trained and to show their support for the Blind Foundation.

'We had a great turn out today and the donations we've received varied from $2 all the way up to 100. At this stage we had more than $900 donated with more to come.

'The Lions club match that, less our cost, and last year it was up over $2000, so hopefully we'll get close to that again this year.”

Howard says the Blind Foundation is one of three national organisations which the Lions support ad also includes the Heart Foundation and the Cancer Society of New Zealand.

Today's event also featured a representative from the Blind Foundation who presented a a speech about the cost of raising a guide dog, what training the dogs go through, and the Foundation in general.