Volunteers of the Month - December 2024 - Chris & Brian Parsonage

Chris and Brian Parsonage are a big part of Hearing Dog for Deaf People’s Manchester & Cheshire hub.  They are keenly involved in all aspects of our community, from volunteer dog training, holiday cover, buddy support, fundraising, positive social media content and even guest starring in our magazines!

With their calm outlook, endless patience and full commitment to ‘Team Burgundy’ they have become real assets to our volunteer family since joining Hearing Dogs five years ago.

Thinking back to late 2019, Chris and Brian had no idea how challenging their first mission was going to be. Within a few short months, we were all plunged into the unchartered waters of Lockdown and the training of their first puppy, Jessica, followed a format that that was new to all.

Nevertheless, they took on the challenge, followed advice and training plans, and started to become familiar names and faces on our social media channels as they shared stories of “Miss Jessica’s” adventures, photos of their lovely garden and life post-retirement. The couple were just the tonic in the dark days of Lockdown and have continued to be bright lights of the organisation online.

It was around the same time that the Parsonages proactively stepped forward and offered to host collection boxes in their local butchers and bakers, as well as cheerily attending one of the charity’s, pre-Covid, flagship events – a guided walk at Arley Hall.

From these early days, it was very clear that the couple were natural fundraisers and happy to raise the profile of Hearing Dogs through their contacts in the local area, as well as getting involved in centrally organised events such as Volunteers' Week and our partnership with Pets at Home.

Community Fundraising Manager, Gaynor Cavanagh, explains:

“Chris and Brian are consummate, all-round, volunteering superstars! As well as training our pups to a high standard, they are stalwart fundraising volunteers, even though they got started under the most difficult of circumstances.

They first became involved in fundraising for Hearing Dogs in March 2020, when Chris arranged a supermarket collection for us – that weekend turned out to be the start of Covid concerns, with (understandably) most shoppers more interested in piling their trollies high with toilet rolls, than stopping to talk about our work.

Undaunted by a worldwide pandemic, by June 2020, Chris and Brian had taken on the role of Collection Box Co-ordinators – a role they excel at to this day. They place collection boxes with retailers in their local area, and as they take their dog-in-training around for its socialisation practice they generate interest in the Charity and donations just seem to appear!

Chris and Brian have gone on to become an integral part of the local fundraising group, they are incredibly popular amongst their peers and are always willing to do anything to support Hearing Dogs. It is an absolute pleasure to have them on the local team and they are an absolute delight to work with.”

Fellow volunteer, Janet Ratcliffe, agrees:

“Not only are Chris and Brian great fun to be around they are always ready with a helping hand to do whatever is needed; be that in their volunteer dog training role or supporting all our fundraising efforts. I’ve seen them many times stood in a soggy field, come rain, sleet or snow, to get our young pups through their training - they are truly amazing!”

It was through attending events that Chris and Brian met Lisa and her hearing dog Hunter; they have since become firm friends.  Lisa says:

“We are so lucky to have Chris and Bri as part of Team Burgundy. Nothing is too much trouble, even travelling miles to help others. I first met them at a fundraising event and as a recipient of a hearing dog I was really interested to hear their story - it made me realise just how much time and hard work they put into it.  

They are so incredibly passionate about what they do and often speak about how rewarding they find it when they see what a difference their puppies make for people with hearing loss, like me. In addition, they have always been a great support to me personally and I am proud to call them my best friends.”

This is so typical of Chris and Brian’s warmth. They are always willing to help out other volunteers, especially those who are new to the group, offering reassuring buddy support either over a Teams chat, or in person by joining them for walk and lending an understanding listening ear.

Moreover, the couple can always be called upon to help out at short notice or in an emergency. Most recently looking after a puppy alongside their current trainee Hattie for a couple of weeks, which gave him the stability he needed whilst a full-time home was sought. This kind of support and flexibility is so valuable, as is their can-do, positive outlook.

James Jones, Canine Healthcare Consultant, agrees stating: “Chris and Brian are wonderful volunteers who work really hard to make sure the dogs in their care are happy and healthy. If ever a health condition has cropped up, they’ve been on it straight away and are attentive in getting the poorly pooch back to tip top health!”

Dog Training Instructor, Michelle Taylor, concludes: “From those early days running across fields after a joyous Jessica, to today’s pocket rocket Hattie, plus everything in between, Chris and Brian are an important and integral part of our North West family. 

As 2024 comes to a close, I'd like to wholeheartedly express that I am endlessly grateful for their commitment, dedication, patience and humour, as well as being hugely respectful of everything they have done and continue to do to improve the lives of deaf people.”