Fiona Sanderson

I’m running 26.2 miles in the LONDON MARATHON to raise £2,500 for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

My twin sister Lucy and I have always been inseparable. Growing up, we didn't just share a birthday, we shared everything. From being dressed in identical outfits, sharing the same group of friends, and even landing the same GCSE results, our lives were completely in sync. 

Our lives took an unexpected turn when we were 17 and at college. Lucy was diagnosed with Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), which caused her to suddenly lose her hearing.

While I went off to university, Lucy stayed home to manage her health and adapt to a completely new way of life. Over time, the sudden loss of her hearing naturally brought a lot of isolation, and navigating that shift was a massive adjustment for Lucy and our family. The things we take for granted like socialising with friends, listening to music, hearing the doorbell, or even important safety signals like a smoke alarm became incredibly challenging for Lucy and this also impacted her mental health. 

In an effort to find some support for Lucy, I came across the Hearing Dogs website in 2017 and read a heartwarming story about the impact a hearing dog made to another deaf lady and encouraged Lucy to take a look and enquire. After submitting her application and going through a careful matching process, she was partnered with her hearing wonderdog, Wilbur.

Wilbur’s official job description is to alert Lucy to life-saving sounds like smoke alarms, doorbells, and alarm clocks - and to his credit, he takes that very seriously! But in reality, he does so much more. Before Wilbur, Lucy barely left the house and became incredibly isolated. Now, he gets her out and about every single day, she’s made new friends and he has given her back her confidence and independence. The difference he has made to her life is truly incredible, so much so that in our family, we call him Wilbur the Wonder Dog! 

Deafness doesn’t just affect one person in isolation, it touches every conversation, every relationship, and every shared moment across a whole family. Wilbur isn’t just Lucy’s hearing dog, he’s loved by us all and brings so much happiness to everyone. I would love another deaf person to experience that same transformation, to feel that sense of belonging, safety and connection that Lucy now has. 

It costs £70,000 to train and support a hearing dog over its working lifetime. While my target of £2,500 is just a patch on the full cost of transforming a life, every single penny moves another puppy closer to a deaf person who needs them. 

To earn your support, I’m putting in the work both on and off the trail:

The Training: Living right on the edge of the Peak District, I’ll spend the next six months pounding the hills and trails to build the miles and fitness needed for marathon day.

The Fundraising: I know times are tough and £2,500 is a lot to raise, so, as well as donations, over the coming months, I’ll be hosting clothes sales, cake sales, and every other sale imaginable to get us over the finish line.

Hearing dogs do so much more than alert people to sounds, they break down the isolation and loneliness that so often comes with deafness.

Whether you leave a donation, buy a cake or grab a bargain at a clothes sale, it all makes a massive difference. 

Thank you SO much for your support! 

Team Burgundy, LET’S GO!