Helen Atherton

Help me raise money for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People , as I take part in the Cutty Sark Rig Climb Challenge!,

On the 11^th of October , I will be facing my fears of heights once again,, by scaling up the heights of the famous Cutty Sark rigging to help raise money for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

 Hearing Dogs for Deaf People trains dogs to alert deaf people to important and life saving sounds such as the smoke alarm, alarm clock, intruder alarms and baby monitors. These amazing dogs also help deaf people leave loneliness behind by providing love, companionship and emotional support. 

 My connection hearing dogs for deaf people charity began over  8 years ago, when my wonderful four legged friend  and now retired Hearing Dog Ozzy walked into my life.

For 4 wonderful years, Ozzys job and purpose went way beyond listening to sounds for me and alerting me to them. He was there at the very start of a new and long journey which I never even knew I needed to go on, and I still have a long way to go. Applying for a hearing dog was probably one of the bravest and best things I have ever done. 

Sadly, Ozzy had to retire just before he was 7 years old, due to losing his sight, and I have so far been on the waiting list for a succesor dog to be matched to me for around 5 years .

While I still have Ozzy, who is very firmly a part of the family, not having a working hearing dog by my side has left a big hole in my life,  it has been really hard and lonely – both in missing out on being alerted to important sounds, and also the returning feeling of lonliness and isolation I felt often before Ozzy came into my life as a Hearing Dog. 

It costs £25,000 to fully train a hearing dog, so the challenge I am taking on- which will be a challenge for me for many reasons, is my way of helping to raise funds to train more of these life changing dogs. And any donation you can spare , however big or small will really help. Your kindness means everything  and will really help people like me , leave loneliness behind and reconnect with life 

 Thank you so much for your support 

Helen and Ozzy