Celebrity supporters

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People has a number of celebrity supporters including our Patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal

We put a special value on our high profile supporters from the world of entertainment.

With their support we can raise awareness of our vital work to help deaf people.

Matt Baker

Ex-Blue Peter presenter, Matt Baker, first became involved with Hearing Dogs when he met one of our partnerships at Crufts a few years ago.  He then offered us a lovely puppy, Ziggy, from a litter that his own dog, Meg, had produced, and she became a regular feature on Blue Peter all during 2005 and 2006.  Ziggy did really well throughout her socialisation, and it seemed she had a bright future in front of her, but sadly just before she started her soundwork training she developed health problems and had to be retired from the scheme.  Matt has retained a keen interest in Hearing Dogs’ work and has attended several of our fundraising events

Stephanie Beacham

Actress Stephanie Beacham first became involved with Hearing Dogs because she has a hearing loss and was interested to find out more about the dogs help deaf people.  She has taken a hands-on role during one of the Charity’s demonstrations at Discover Dogs, where she was thrown in the deep end and had to handle Lenny, a young puppy – walking him round the ring and getting him to show his basic obedience skills!  Stephanie has also fronted one of Hearing Dogs’ regular fundraising appeals – the Good Girls appeal – which was phenomenally successful.  She continues to promote the Charity when she can and is a very valued supporter

Ben Fogle

TV presenter, Ben, has every reason to be involved with Hearing Dogs for most of his life – his father, Dr Bruce Fogle, was one of the founder members of the Charity!  Ben grew up knowing all about how the dogs help deaf people, and in 2004 he became actively involved when he fronted our second BBC Lifeline appeal which brought in many thousands of pounds.  Since then he has taken part in television programmes talking about the work of the Charity, and during our 25th anniversary year he co-hosted Hearing Dogs’ big birthday bash in London, and even coerced his rowing pal James Cracknell into helping with the raffle!

Philippa Forrester

Philippa has been a supporter of Hearing Dogs for some time and became involved when she donated winnings from taking part in a TV charity quiz programme which she won.  That donation went to “supporting” a hearing dog throughout its working life, which was named Pippa in her honour.  She then fronted a television programme showing the work of the Charity, which included her taking part in a puppy class where she promptly fell in love with an aptly named puppy called Star!  Philippa has been a judge of one of the Hearing Dog of the Year competitions, which has probably been her hardest job to date!

Kate Humble

Kate, well known for presenting BBC’s Springwatch and Animal Park programmes, is a relatively recent addition to the Charity’s band of celebrity supporters.  Along with Ben Fogle, Kate hosted Hearing Dogs’ 25th anniversary evening in London in 2007, and was a real star in getting the illustrious audience to part with money for the raffle!  No-one could possibly refuse as she asked so nicely!  During the evening she could be seen cuddling one of the small puppies that were there to help people part with their cash, and as a result she has fronted one of the Charity’s fundraising appeals and has featured on a small collecting kennel that will adorn thousands of homes across the UK

Joe Inglis

Celebrity vet Joe Inglis is one of Hearing Dogs’ more active celebrity supporters, having taken part in several wild and wacky challenges to raise both awareness and funds for the Charity.  The former star of BBC1’s Vets in Practice has undertaken a 100-mile walk from his home in Gloucestershire to London eating nothing but his own brand of dog food, all in aid of Hearing Dogs; then in 2007 he decided to go one better and built a “boat” from an old cattle trough and sailed it down the River Thames from the Cotswolds to Putney – interrupting the Henley Regatta on the way!  The publicity and funds raised by Joe on these challenges has been fantastic, and he has promised bigger and better things in the future.  Some of the money has gone towards “supporting” a hearing dog through socialisation, training and after it is placed with a deaf person, and the dog selected is appropriately called Joey

Emma Milne

Another star of BBC1’s popular vet series, Vets in Practice, Emma has been a hands-on supporter of Hearing Dogs for many years.  She first got to know about our work when she treated one of our working hearing dogs at her veterinary clinic.  Since then she has agreed to endorse our Fundraising Guide and has become one of the celebrity ambassadors for our capital appeal to raise funds for a new training centre in Yorkshire.  Soon after she moved to York she was guest of honour at the 10th anniversary celebrations for the existing northern centre near Selby, and had the chance to meet lots of working hearing dogs and their deaf owners

Esther Rantzen

Esther Rantzen is one of the Charity’s longest-serving celebrity supporters, becoming involved many years ago after her late husband, Desmond Wilcox, was the face of Hearing Dogs’ first BBC Lifeline appeal in 1991.  Every year Esther presents, in Desmond’s name, the Volunteer of the Year Award to one of the Charity’s hard-working band of volunteers.  She also regularly attends our Summer Fayres, and has fronted fundraising appeals to help bring in much-needed money.  She is extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of the Charity, and is a very valued supporter

Mary Rhodes

Ex-BBC Sports presenter, Mary, has had a very close connection with Hearing Dogs for many years as her mother used to be a puppy socialiser for the Charity, so Mary was well aware of our work.  She really showed her support, though, when she agreed in 2006 to run the London Marathon and donated a large proportion of her sponsorship money to Hearing Dogs.  She has had some fun events too, when she attended one of our infamous Puppy Christmas Parties – and was surrounded by over 60 hearing dog puppies at one time!  She has also judged one of the Hearing Dog of the Year categories, and presented the prizes at our Summer Fayre in 2006

Pam St Clement

EastEnders’ actress Pam has been involved with Hearing Dogs for many years.  She has been the face of one of the Charity’s appeals, her popularity helping to raise much-needed funds.  She always visits the Hearing Dogs’ stand at Crufts, and gives up her time to spread the word about the work of the Charity.  She also attends our bi-annual Summer Fayres and is usually the main attraction as she presents some of our Hearing Dog of the Year awards.  She took a particular shine to one of our smallest hearing dogs, Budgie, when she met him at a sponsored walk, and ever since she has always asked after him.  She is a very valuable supporter of Hearing Dogs, and very knowledgeable about the work of the Charity, appearing on national television to speak about the role of volunteers

Amanda Tapping

Fans of the US/Canadian sci-fi series Stargate SG1 will know actress Amanda Tapping very well.  She is also the star of new series - Sanctuary - on ITV4.  A few years ago we were approached by some of her most loyal fans who were having a convention in London and wanted to raise money for Hearing Dogs.  We went along with some puppies and hearing dog partnerships, and that was when Amanda was totally won over.  She fell in love with one of the puppies - Iris - and since then she and the fans have been raising money for the Charity ever since.  Auction items including signed Stargate memorabilia and many personal items of Amanda's have helped to raise over £40,000, which has gone towards supporting the training of hearing dogs for deaf people.  There are now seven dogs in the Gabit "stable", including Iris!  Amanda is coming to the UK in 2009 - 13-15 November - for another of her conventions with her fans, and more money is expected to be raised to fund the training of more hearing dogs.  If you would like more information about the event, and a chance to meet Amanda and some cute hearing dog puppies, please visit www.gabitevents.co.uk.