Celebrities who attended the event included Tim Vincent, Marc Abraham, Esther Rantzen, Rebecca Wilcox, Anton du Beke, Meg Mathews, Rita Simons, Martin Roberts, Erin Boag, Luther Blissett, David Bellamy and a host of others.
It was an emotional night with accolades including Life-changing Hearing Dog of the Year, Heroic Hearing Dog of the Year, and Team/Dual-purpose Hearing Dog of the Year being unveiled at the black-tie event.
This year’s Royal Canin Life-changing Hearing Dog of the Year went to Foggy and his recipient Simon Moore from Norwich. Runners-up in this category were hearing dogs Jasmine and Baz accompanied by their respective recipients Sue Churchyard from Sussex and Anne Barrick from Leeds. The award was judged by the One Show’s Matt Baker.
Watch Foggy and Simon's story:
The Specsavers Hearing Centres Team/Dual-purpose Hearing Dog of the Year accolade was received by team hearing dog Sam and his 12-year-old recipient Lauren Brooks from Lincolnshire. Runners-up in this category – judged by TV vet Marc Abraham – were dual-purpose dogs Deena and Abbey alongside their recipients Angela Perrow, also from Lincolnshire, and Glynnis Hilliard from Northampton.
Watch Sam and Lauren’s story:
The Heroic Hearing Dog of the Year went to hearing dog Taz and his recipient Mags Adams-Aston from Coventry. Runners-up in this category were hearing dogs Troy and Jester who were alongside their recipients Kenny Gibson and Samantha Maxwell – both from Northern Ireland. This award was judged by EastEnders actress Pam St Clement and presented by actress Julia Foster, wife of Charity founder Dr Bruce Fogle.
Watch Taz and Mags' story:
Meanwhile the Desmond Wilcox Volunteer of Year award – named after the late TV producer – went to Brian Russell from Knaresborough in Yorkshire.
Watch Brian's story:
The Specsavers Hearing Centres Beatrice Wright Award – recognising the work of the Charity’s staff – went to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People’s Access and Inclusion Manager Philip Biggs.
Hearing dogs provide a life-changing level of independence, confidence and companionship to their deaf recipients by alerting them to important household sounds and danger signals in the home, at work and in public places. These include the alarm clock, doorbell and smoke alarm – sounds hearing people often take for granted.
Each hearing dog also helps to bring a visibility to their recipient’s deafness thanks to the burgundy jackets they wear when out in public. This creates peace of mind for a deaf person who may have previously felt too isolated and vulnerable to leave their home.
There are currently 750 hearing dogs working in the UK. They are placed with deaf people and children from as young as seven to people over 90 years of age.
The awards, now in its ninth year, are proudly sponsored by Specsavers Hearing Centres and Royal Canin.
Photos from the Awards
Below is a Flickr gallery of images from the night.
Help us to create more life-changing partnerships
If you would like to help us to create more partnerships like this year’s finalists simply text HDOG11 £5 to 70070 to make a £5 donation. Thank you.
