Charity needs £1m

11:10am Saturday 6th October 2007

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A CHARITY that trains dogs for deaf people and is celebrating its 25th birthday this year is looking for a big moving away present as it leaves its training centre in Selby district.

Hearing Dogs For Deaf People is all set to leave its training facility in Cliffe after 13 years. The charity, which trains dogs to recognise specific sounds to help their deaf handlers, is moving to larger, purpose-built premises at Bielby, near Pocklington.

The Press has previously reported how the charity had come up against local opposition after applying for permission to build seven homes on the Cliffe site, at Top End House.

Villagers argued that access to the site was not appropriate for development and that some parts of it were prone to flooding and had only been granted planning permission originally because of the organisation's charitable status.

Despite the controversy, Gerry Carroll, chairman of Cliffe Parish Council, wished the charity all the best. "I'd say good luck to them," he said. "It's a shame they've had to leave, really. Best of luck to them."

Now Hearing Dogs For Deaf People is launching a double whammy of appeals. Its Buy A Brick Appeal will help fund the new centre at Bielby.

Jenny Moir, a spokeswoman for the charity, said she hoped the new training centre would be operational by next summer. "The target for this appeal is a massive £2.5 million, of which we have worked hard to date to raise £1.5 million," she said.

"We're now looking for our final £1 million and need your help to raise the funds to build the kennels, training houses, accommodation and offices."

She said £10 would buy a brick at the Bielby facility, with donors acknowledged in a book of recognition on-site.

The charity is also having a silver jubilee push for suitable dogs to be trained up. She said they were particularly interested in small to medium sized dogs aged between eight weeks and three years.

Ms Moir said: "Due to the increased demand from applicants for working hearing dogs, we are currently experiencing a shortage of suitable puppies and young dogs to train.

"We are hoping the public can help us reduce this waiting list by donating puppies and adult dogs up to the age of three years.

"Puppies spend several months with a volunteer socialiser, learning basic manners and obedience before they can then embark on the more advanced soundwork training.

"However, there are benefits to having older dogs donated as they can usually progress into the latter stages."