This is the place to keep in touch with news about Hearing Dogs' events. We also have archived national press releases so you can see what we have been doing over the last few months. Click to see latest press release.
If you’re looking for local news or an event near you please visit our Events pages.
Shoppers - browse our online shop or make a donation.News & information
Hearing Dogs Summer Fayre 2009
On Sunday 7 June Hearing Dogs held it's 2009 Summer Fayre at it's headquarters in Saunderton, Buckinghamshire.
There were fun activities for all the family, dog demonstrations, Scruffts heats, sponsored bungee jumping, racing pigs, an Eagle and Vulture display team, K9 freestyle and circus activities.
The weather held out and over 3,000 people attended the fayre. To date this fun-packed event has raised just over £20,000 for the Charity.
Hearing Dogs would like to sincerely thank everyone who attended the Summer Fayre and helped to make it a big success!
Hearing Dog Thelma wins at Dogs Trust Honours
Thank you so much to everyone who voted for Thelma by telephone or online. Chris was thrilled that Thelma was recognised as the Hero Dog she is at the awards ceremony in London last night. Thelma, a former rescue dog, was one of five special dogs shortlisted for a Hero Dog Award sponsored by The Sun newspaper.
To read more about Chris and Thelma, click here
For more photographs from the awards ceremony, click here
Photo credit: Nick Harvey, Dogs Trust
Shakespeare's Way Walk
Hearing dog recipient Antony Sabin, aged 85, and hearing dog Branson, are taking on the Shakespeare's Way challenge. They aim to raise £35,000 for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and for funds towards a new loop system at The Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
The route covers 146 miles between Stratford-upon-Avon and The Globe Theatre in London. Starting on 19 July 2009 after a special performance by acclaimed actor Patrick Stewart, Antony and Branson will begin walking 10 miles per day. A number of events are planned en route, before they will be welcomed at The Globe Theatre on 8 August, following a performance of Romeo and Juliet.
Visit our dedicated webpage to find out more about the walk and how you can take part or sponsor Antony
Follow us online
You can follow Hearing Dogs through a number of social networking websites including Facebook and Twitter. We also have a Flickr group where you can upload your photographs of hearing dogs and hearing dog events. Click the images below to visit our profiles.
Gem is a 'Friend for Life'
We are thrilled to announce that team dog Gem has been named as a finalist in the annual Kennel Club 'Friends for Life' competition which will be held at Crufts in March 2009.
To find out more about Gem and Evie read their full story , join their facebook group or watch their YouTube video
Thank you to all those who voted for Evie and Gem, your support is much appreciated. Voting lines are now closed.
Raffle Results
January 2009
Congratulations to Mrs S Corner who won first prize in our raffle drawn on 23 January 2009. Mrs Corner won the top prize of £10,000 and was thrilled. "I’m not used to winning things and it came as a complete surprise, I’ve been a Hearing Dogs supporter for many years and am delighted to have won". For a full list of winners please see below.
1) Mrs S Corner, Hertfordshire,
2) Mrs L Warr, Surrey,
3) Ms J Gotts, Surrey,
4) Mrs D Turner, Herefordshire
5) Mrs G S Knowland, Gwent
6) Mrs D Harris, Tyne and Wear
7) Mrs M A Brown, Tyne and Wear
8) Mrs J Holden, West Sussex
9) Mr & Mrs M Atchison, Wiltshire
10) Mrs A Brown, South Yorkshire
11) Mrs E West, Cornwall
12) Mr J P Hubbie, West Midlands
13) Ms C Anderson, Hampshire
14) Mr N Foye, Greater London
15) Mrs M S Howard, Bedfordshire
16) Miss I Dent, West Midlands
17) Mrs M E Tidmarsh, West Midlands
18) Mr R Packard, Derbyshire
19) Mrs A Smith, Lancashire,
20) Mrs S Walker, Oxfordshire
21) Ms J Davies, Cheshire
22) D Vaghela, Greater London
23) Mrs C J Davis, Dorset
Togs for Dogs 2009
November 2008
Hearing Dogs is proud to relaunch our Togs for Dogs activity pack for 2009. One of the most important aspects of Togs for Dogs is learning about deaf awareness and communication tactics. Each lesson, exercise, activity and experiment has been carefully developed around the National Curriculum and Curriculum for Excellence guidelines for Key Stages Foundation to Four. The pack is also ideal as a resource for youth groups and guiding associations such as Brownies and Cubs.
Interactive activities include: Basic finger spelling, a competition to design the Togs for Dogs logo for 2010, a competition to design a non-uniform coat for hearing dog Phoebe, and projects to explain how hearing works among many others.
To request your Togs for Dogs CD please email us or call 01844 348133
Radio 4 Appeal
November 2008
Welcome to all those visitors who have come to the site after hearing Doc Martin actor Martin Clunes appealing on behalf of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday 23 November or Thursday 27 November. The appeal is currently still available online at the BBC Radio 4 website.
For more information about the appeal, click HERE
Raffle
October 2008
It's that time of year again, when we ask you all to dip into your pockets and purchase some raffle tickets for our fabulous Christmas draw. You should be receiving your own personal raffle ticket books through the post towards the end of October, so be sure to look out for them. We have some fantastic prizes including a first prize of £10,000 cash or a Honda Jazz 1.4SE.
If you haven't received your raffle tickets by the end of October, or you would like more tickets for yourself or to sell to friends and family, call free on 0800 954 0257 or email us on raffle@hearingdogs.org.uk to request tickets. The raffle closing date is January 9 2009 and the draw will be on January 23 2009. Remember that every single ticket sold helps us to train more hearing dogs.
Vote for Hearing Dogs at MoneySavingExpert.com
Thanks to all our supporters who have visited the website moneysavingexpert.com, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People have now been shortlisted as a Charity of the Year. To vote for Hearing Dogs, you must be registered on MoneySavingExpert.com. Click here to register for free and vote for Hearing Dogs.
Weather Lottery
Please help us raise much-needed funds for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People by participating in the Weather Lottery. Every line that is entered enables us to train more dogs for deaf people. So please help us by filling in your entry today. Your support is much appreciated.
How does it work?
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People now participates in four different draws of the Weather Lottery: Sunshine, Lightning, Rainbow and Cyclone! Simply choose the draw you wish to participate in, and follow the clear instructions on the Weather Lottery website.
Costs and prizes vary per lottery and full information, terms and conditions can be found HERE for each of the draws. Payment can be made online by card, or by standing order, cheque or postal order. Cheques are made payable to Prize Provision Services Ltd.
All the money is kept securely in a stakeholder fund, and more than a third comes directly back to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.
Dogs @ Play Appeal 2008
TV presenter Kate Humble has launched her Dogs@Play Appeal aiming to raise £20,000 to fund the development of a new sand-filled outdoor compound and the construction of climbing frames, dog dens and sand boxes for the indoor runs at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People training centres.
Kate, who is a presenter of BBC’s Springwatch and a supporter of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, was particularly interested in this appeal following the Charity’s small research project which showed that not only does an enriched environment improve the well-being of dogs in kennels but that it can also enhance their performance in training.
Kate explains: “Hearing Dogs has regularly provided the dogs in their care with a variety of balls and bones to play with but these would often roll under the kennel door, out of reach – defeating their objective. Seeking to provide the dogs with a wider variety of play activities – ones which the dogs would enjoy for longer – the team set about measuring the dogs’ level of play and interaction when different toys and activities were introduced.
“All donations will help us raise the £20,000 needed to provide the very best play environment for these wonderful dogs who will go on to enrich the lives of deaf people throughout the UK.”
If you would like to make a donation to this appeal please send a cheque or postal order to:
Kate Humble’s Dogs@Play Appeal, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, The Grange, Wycombe Road, Saunderton, Princes Risborough, Bucks, HP27 9NS. Please make cheques payable to Hearing Dogs and print your name and postcode on the back.
Hearing Dogs Week - 2nd to 8th June 2008
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is pleased to announce a selection of events to celebrate Hearing Dogs Week 2008. Throughout the week schools across the country participated in our 'Togs for Dogs' scheme, culminating in a special Togs for Dogs Day at our headquarters in Buckinghamshire on Friday 6 June, where a number of children had the opportunity to tour our headquarters, meet hearing dog puppies, learn to sign a song, have their faces painted and learn more about Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.
The biggest event of Hearing Dogs Week was our Summer Fayre on Sunday 8 June. This year the fayre was bigger and better than ever with a wide variety of activities and entertainment for all age groups. Visitors can see hearing dog demonstrations, bring their pet dogs along to participate in dog agility games, peruse a wide variety of stalls and even take advantage of free pet health checks from the PDSA.
Hearing dog Budgie goes to Downing Street
Hearing dog Budgie, a tiny mongrel, accompanied by his profoundly deaf owner Tracy Lewis from Westbury in Wiltshire, went to Downing Street on Wednesday 6 February along with four other assistance dogs and their disabled owners. The five assistance dog partnerships were campaigning against the discrimination they face from service providers; despite the Disability Discrimination Act.
Hearing Dogs, Canine Partners, Dogs for the Disabled, Guide Dogs and Support Dogs are working together as Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK) to promote rights of access to restaurants, shops and other services for assistance dog users.
 Jack Pegram (Berry) DfD Desi Veeran (Zally) GDs Tracy Lewis (Budgie) HDs Phil Hope MP Tony Brown-Griffin (Ajay) SDs Claire Graham (Ulli(1).jpg)
 meets Phil Hope MP Minister for the Third Sector(1).jpg)
2008 is Year of the Assistance Dog, and the delegation met Phil Hope MP, Minister for the Third Sector, to give personal accounts of the problems they face when attempting to travel by taxis, or use services and amenities.
During the visit, Phil Hope MP was presented with Dog Star Awards on behalf of Downing Street and the Cabinet Office, in recognition of the accessibility for guide and assistance dog users. In coming months, assistance dog users will nominate retailers, leisure facilities, public premises, and transport operators for similar Dog Star awards, giving service providers an incentive to make their premises assistance dog friendly.
Dog Star Awards will be symbols of excellence, given in recognition that premises and services meet the needs of all assistance dog users. For example, provision of Braille menus for blind and partially sighted people, induction loops for customers with hearing impairment, wheelchair access, and of course - water bowls for the assistance dogs!
Phil Hope MP said: “I’m very pleased to accept the Assistance Dogs UK award on behalf of the Cabinet Office and 10 Downing Street. The Government wants to achieve full equality for disabled people by 2025, but to do this we need to hear the views of people who are affected. I thank Assistance Dogs UK for giving voice to the people they represent and will certainly discuss what I have learned today with ministerial colleagues.”
For further information, and links to ADUK member charity websites – where Dog Star nominations can be made – log on to www.assistancedogs.org.uk
 presents Dog Star Awards to Phil Hope MP Minister for the Third Sector(1).jpg)
News on the building of our new training centre in Bielby, Yorkshire
It has certainly been a long time in the planning but we’re delighted to report that on Wednesday 14 November 2007 the diggers moved in at Bielby and scooped the first of many sods of earth. Chief executive, Ian Ford, reports…Ever since we acquired Bielby in April 2006 progress has at times been painfully slow, mostly due to all the processes involved in a major project like this. But now that all the pre-construction meetings have taken place and the project manager and site manager from York House Construction have made their important visit to The Grange to get a clear idea of what we do and what we want to achieve at Bielby, preparation work on the Bielby site can begin.
Building is scheduled for completion during the summer of 2008. We are resolved to be considerate and keep noise and disruption to an absolute minimum for the sake of our relationship with future neighbours and residents at Bielby who may be contemplating the worst and have dropped a flyer through their letter boxes to this effect.
E-newsletter
We are delighted to bring you Hearing Dogs' new monthly e-newsletter. We thank you for your patience in waiting for this and appreciate that you may be wondering why it has taken so long. Due to a few technical difficulties we decided to wait until December to re-launch. Please click HERE to subscribe
Did you know that 2008 has been designated the Year of the Assistance Dog?
Throughout 2008 Hearing Dogs will be working closely with the four other assistance dog charities that make up Assistance Dogs (UK), (AD(UK)), The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Dogs for the Disabled, Canine Partners and Support Dogs – to create a more accessible environment for its partnerships by introducing a new Dog Star award scheme. AD(UK) is the umbrella organisation working on behalf of its members to improve access, mobility, independence and quality of life.
Speaking on behalf of AD(UK) members, Jenny Moir says: “Increasingly, people with assistance dogs are coming up against barriers and discrimination – despite the Disability Discrimination Act stating that assistance dogs constitute no health and safety risk to the public and should be accepted as one of the ‘reasonable adjustments’ that employers and businesses are expected to make for disabled people.
“The Year of the Assistance Dog gives us a strong platform from which AD(UK) can work together to achieve a shared goal. Throughout 2008 AD(UK) will be awarding Dog Stars to organisations and businesses which represent outstanding examples of accessibility to assistance dog partnerships. By rewarding and encouraging good practice it will also highlight any unfairness and prejudice that still exists".
left: partnerships representing all five AD(UK) charities
Assistance Dogs UK is the umbrella organisation representing the interests of its five member charities:
• Canine Partners
• Dogs for the Disabled
• Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
• Support Dogs
• The Guide Dogs for The Blind Association
Archived News
Hearing Dogs 25th Birthday Party was a success!!
As part of their ongoing 25th Anniversary celebrations this year, national charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People held a birthday party on Monday 10 September at the elegant Vintners Hall in east London. Many of the Charity’s celebrity supporters were there, and an amazing selection of auction prizes helped to make the evening a huge success.
Guests were welcomed as they arrived with a champagne reception where they had a chance to meet two deaf people with their hearing dogs as well as some Hearing Dogs’ staff. The evening was hosted by TV presenters Ben Fogle and Kate Humble who, with the help of two adorable hearing dog puppies, got the celebrations off to a flying start. Both Ben and Kate worked hard selling raffle tickets around the 120 specially invited guests, and were in competition with each other to see who could sell the most! The raffle prizes were donated by companies and individuals who support the Charity’s work, as were the auction prizes later in the evening.
Click here to read more.
Joe's Challenge
Celebrity vet Joe Inglis has now completed his latest challenge in 2007 to sail 150 miles down the River Thames in a giant dog bowl called the ‘Mutty Bark’ to raise funds for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.
This was Joe's second challenge to raise money for Hearing Dogs. In 2006 he and Jack walked 100 miles eating only his own brand of dog food.
Joe described how he felt just before he set off on this latest challenge:
“People have said I must be barking mad to embark on this adventure, and they’ve probably got a point. It’s a plastic cattle drinking trough. I am hoping it will float, although it’s not particularly stable”. Click here to read more.
Joe is known for his appearances on the highly successful BBC One programme ‘Vets in Practice’. The programme followed his life and career as a vet through thick and thin, and was shown for 11 series between 1996 and 2003.
Recently Joe founded his own natural pet food company, ‘Pets’ Kitchen’, which has allowed him to take his passion for healthy cookery for pets and turn his home-cooked recipes into natural complete diets for dogs and cats. He named the foods, ‘Joe & Jack’s’ and ‘Joe & Jill’s’ after his faithful collie cross dog Jack and tabby cat Jill!
Click here to view Joe’s website. www.petskitchen.co.uk/joes-page.asp
“After 150 miles, over 2 million paddle stokes, and 9 days on the river I finally made it to Putney. It felt amazing to reach the end, where I was met by my wife and daughter, as well as several hearing dogs and their owners which was wonderful.The final day wasn't without its hiccups - losing an oar for a start but we made it on time and now I can look forward to a very well earned rest!!”
Click here to see Joe’s challenge video diary
'Faithful Friend' rose launched for Hearing Dogs at Chelsea Flower Show
Peter Beales Roses in 2007 launched a new rose named ‘Faithful Friend’ in honour of Hearing Dogs. The beautiful bright yellow highly scented rose was launched at Chelsea Flower Show, with a little help from the Charity’s own faithful friends Esther Rantzen and hearing dog Eva (pictured left)!
Peter Beales learned about Hearing Dogs through our partnership with Rotary International in 2006, and the name - which reflects the close partnership between a hearing dog and its deaf recipient - was suggested by local vet Paul Jarman.
Peter's daughter Amanda Beales says: “Unique to us in the UK, the superb, double blooms of this small shrub rose open up to display a coronet of amber coloured anthers. They are borne in clusters continuously throughout the summer. We were delighted to introduce this excellent yellow rose for Hearing Dogs during their 25th anniversary.”
ARCHIVED News items
Organise an exhibition pool match - with a world champion!
Useful information
Support Hearing Dogs by selling on eBay
Support Hearing Dogs when you shop online at your favourite stores!
Organise an exhibition pool match -
with a world champion!
World champion pool player and hearing dog recipient Carl Morris has come up with a new scheme to help Hearing Dogs. He is available to play an exhibition pool match in your local, pub, club or workplace - raising funds for Hearing Dogs. Contact Gordon Vallance on 01844 348100 or email Gordon for more information.
Support Hearing Dogs by selling on eBay!
MissionFish and eBay have teamed up to bring you eBay for Charity, a fundraising programme that offers an easy way for people to support their favourite charity, by buying and selling on eBay.
MissionFish verifies charities, collects and distributes donations, and provides online tracking and other support for charities and donors.
Click here to access our own home page created by MissionFish in conjunction with eBay.
How it works (sellers)
• register with eBay (it’s free and easy)
• register with MissionFish (free and easy)
• select a percentage or the full selling price to donate to Hearing Dogs
• list your item/s on eBay
• at end of auction, seller sends proceeds to MissionFish
• MissionFish distributes money to charity
To buy on eBay, just register and bid away at any objects you desire.
Online shopping helps Hearing Dogs...
...with Charity Checkout
We’ve teamed up with Charity Checkout to give you the chance to shop at well-known stores like HMV, Asda, John Lewis and Next and still support Hearing Dogs. The stores have agreed to give a percentage of every sale that comes through the Charity Checkout website to the purchaser’s chosen
charity.
But don't worry! Items are exactly the same price as if you were buying
directly from the stores.
Here’s what to do:
1) Go to www.charitycheckout.com
2) Sign up for free and choose Hearing Dogs as your beneficiary charity.
3) Shop as normal and a percentage of the fee for everything you buy will come to us!
...or with Easy Fundraising
Easy Fundraising provide a FREE service where you can shop with your favourite online stores and at no extra cost raise funds for any charity, good cause or group you choose to support. You still shop directly with each retailer as you would normally, but simply by using the links from our site first each retailer will make a cashback donation to the cause you wish to support.
For example, spend £25 with WH Smith and 3.5% will be donated. You will have raised £0.88, at no extra cost to your purchase. Make any purchase from Woolworths and 2.5% will be donated. Insure your car with The AA and raise £30, or purchase a mobile phone from Vodafone and earn £29, and so on.
It’s completely FREE to register at www.easyfundraising.org.uk