Nine colleagues from The Minster Veterinary Practice in Salisbury Road, York, say they are in the best shape of their lives after months of preparation for the world’s biggest half marathon from Newcastle to South Shields on Sunday September 8.
They are raising money for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, a charity that trains dogs who transform the lives of people who are hearing impaired.
The Minster Vets team chose the charity because they provide routine healthcare and treatment for the clever canines that are trained by the charity and owned by some of their deaf clients.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Through a JustGiving page and direct donations at the practice, they are hoping to raise thousands of pounds to help train more hearing dogs that are able to alert deaf people to important and life-saving sounds they would otherwise miss – such as the smoke alarm, alarm clock and even a baby’s cry.
The Minster Vets runners are nurses Becki Hutton, Anna Fairley, Victoria Beasley and Meg Liversidge, vets Tristan Hutton, Lucy Hicklenton, Jenny Dabbs and Max Vesty, along with receptionist Sammie Brown.
Becki said: “We have all seen first-hand, the important work done by Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and we wanted to do something to support the charity.
“The cost to train and support each hearing dog throughout their lifetime is £40,000 so the charity relies heavily on supporters to help them change lives. As well as alerting their owners to danger or a baby crying, these dogs can help prevent deaf people from feeling lonely and isolated.
“We’ve been training really hard, often in pairs, and it is great to be united in helping such a worthy cause. Myself and Jenny have completed the Great North Run before, it’s great to do this together and we will all meet at the end.”
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People has matched thousands of dogs with deaf people since the charity was launched in 1982. It currently has more than 1,100 working hearing dog partnerships across the UK.
To support the Minster Vets team, you can scan the QR code on one of their special posters across its branches in Salisbury Road, Copmanthorpe, Haxby, Willow Grove, Crockey Hill and Malton.
You can also donate to their JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/minster-vets-gnr24?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fminster-vets-gnr24&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share
