Rula Lenska, one of the UK’s most familiar faces, today (30 June) visited the headquarters of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People to learn more about the Charity – a world leader in the training of hearing dogs - based on the Buckinghamshire-Oxfordshire border.
The actress took time out from her busy schedule to meet staff and volunteers at the organisation, and whilst there, Ms Lenska also met namesake ‘Rula’ – a Cavalier King Charles hearing dog puppy sporting a familiar red and black coat – named in the actress’ honour.
Ms Lenska’s visit comes just months after the Coronation Street star publically revealed that she suffers from higher frequency hearing loss and consequently wears hearing aids in both ears.
During her visit, Ms Lenska witnessed at first hand the work of the Charity’s hearing dogs and learned how they are trained to alert deaf people to sounds both at home and in public.
Rula Lenska said: “It’s been heart-warming to meet people associated with the Charity – everyone I’ve met - including the dogs – are so completely dedicated to making deaf people’s lives easier and happier.”
Earlier this year, the actress also helped launch the Specsavers Sound Barrier Star Awards – an initiative aimed at highlighting the achievements of the one in seven people in the UK that have hearing difficulties. Winners of the awards will be announced in London in September. Money raised through the Awards goes directly towards the Charity.
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People are not Government-funded and rely on the donations and fundraising initiatives taken on by its network of supporters. It currently costs around £45,000 to cover the entire breeding, training and placement of each hearing dog.
Across the UK, there are about 750 working hearing dogs assisting the lives of severely and profoundly deaf people. Since the Charity was launched in 1982, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People have created over 1,600 partnerships.
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