A CHARITY which provides hearing dogs for deaf people has thanked its York group coordinator as she retires - and made a desperate appeal for someone to step into her shoes.

Lucy Ward, community fundraising manager for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, said Janet Robinson of Escrick had done a ‘wonderful job’ of co-ordinating the charity’s York fundraising group for many years.

“Everyone at Hearing Dogs would like to say a huge thank you to her for all her hard work and wish her all the best for a well-earned rest!” she said.

“Though Janet’s are not easy shoes to fill, we urge anyone in the York area who might be able to help to please get in touch. We desperately need to find someone local to fill her role.

“This is a pivotal role within the group and will suit an enthusiastic and energetic person with strong organising abilities, people skills and enough free time to organise and attend fundraising events and motivate group members to assist.”

She said part of the role would be to co-ordinate volunteer activities, order sales merchandise as required and liaise with the Hearing Dog’s local training centre at Bielby, near Pocklington, and it would be useful to have home space to store equipment.

She said the charity had been changing deaf people’s lives for more than 35 years but, as levels of deafness in the UK rose, it faced ever increasing demand for its services.

“Deafness is an invisible disability and can be very isolating,” she said. “Hearing dogs not only offer the practical assistance of alerting to sounds but also provide emotional support which helps relieve the stress and loneliness deafness can bring.” *For more information, call 07769 901292 or email lucy.ward@hearingdogs.org.uk.