Our Broker & Affiliate Team at the Hearing Dogs Awards 2016 alongside Head of Quality Assurance and Welfare at Hearing Dogs, Jo Gray (far right), and television personality Tim Vincent (far left).
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People was founded as a charity in 1982 and since those humble beginnings it has gone from strength to strength. Officially launched at that year’s Crufts exhibition as a three-year pilot scheme by Bruce Fogle and Lady Beatrice Wright, ably assisted by Gill Lacey and Tony Blunt, Hearing Dogs has grown, year on year, and now helps thousands of deaf people across the UK.
Skilled staff members at Hearing Dogs train specially-chosen dogs to assist deaf people by alerting them to sounds they might miss. Since the charity’s inception, the unique assistance they provide to deaf people has proved to be invaluable; hearing dogs bring independence, confidence and companionship. Over the years, Hearing Dogs have successfully partnered up thousands of dogs with worthy recipients and they dedicate one day a year to commemorate the impact these very special bonds have upon the deaf community.
The Hearing Dog Awards 2016 took place at One Marylebone, London on Thursday 10th November and we were so happy to be able to attend and lend our support to a truly amazing cause. The awards celebrate the unique relationships between hearing dogs and their partners and they help to highlight the sometimes life-changing difference the charity can make to people’s lives. Six awards were handed out in total and tremendous support was shown by everyone attending, including celebrities such as Olympic medallists Amy Williams, Jane Torville and Beth Tweddle. Other high profile names in attendance included television personality Tim Vincent, celebrity vet Marc Abraham and the inimitable and timeless Bill Oddie!
We spoke to our Broker & Affiliate Manager Jo Milne and she had this to say about the evening:
“Last night was just amazing and so truly humbling, listening to all of the award winners’ heart-warming stories, in such a spectacular venue.
We were fortunate enough to share our table with a wonderful 12-year-old girl called Kaitlyn and her dog Rowan. Kaitlyn, who was born severely premature and profoundly deaf, won the Young Partners Award for the fantastic leaps forward she has made since her best friend Rowan came into her life. It was so inspirational to witness a success story like this and it just goes to show what an important and life-changing charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is.”
It’s certain that everyone in attendance found it similarly moving and the success of the evening was universally agreed. For charities like Hearing Dogs, they are vital occasions in which they can raise awareness of the importance of their cause. If you want to find out more, visit www.hearingdogs.org.uk today. A full list of all the awards winners and some superb photos of the night are below:
Royal Canin Life-Changing Partnership – Sophie Biebuyck and Rusty
Young Partners – Kaitlyn and Rowan
Community Champion – Alan Lawrenson
Specsavers Lifeline – Hannah and Ayla
Desmond Wilcox Volunteer of the Year – Jean Todd
Open Doors – Premier Inn
Kaitlyn and Rowan
Tim Vincent and cuddly friend!
The awards winners and celebrities, including Tim Vincent, Amy Williams, Marc Abraham, Beth Tweddle and Jane Torville.
All of the inspirational winners!
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