Wigan dogs and their owners can join woodlands walkies for charity

People and dogs enjoying the Great British Dog Walk in 2019

Run by Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, this popular event is now in its sixth year and is coming to Wigan for the first time, on Saturday, April 4.

The event is one of 19 fun-filled walks taking place around the UK helping the charity to train more dogs to alert deaf children and adults to important and life-saving sounds and help them to leave loneliness behind.

There will be two walk options available at Haigh on the day - either a 5km or 8km route, making it ideal for dog owners, families, single walkers and organised walking groups.

Sheila, from Ashton, is one of several local people from Wigan who benefit from Hearing Dogs for Deaf People’s work, having had hearing dogs since 2006.

She said: “My hearing dog Oliver, and before him my previous hearing dog Nina, has changed my life.

“Oliver is my ears, alerting me every day to important sounds that I would normally miss, like the alarm clock, oven timer and in an emergency, the smoke alarm.

“Oliver also provides lots of emotional support, helps me to feel less isolated and when I am out and about he really breaks the ice as his burgundy jacket tells people I have hearing loss, which really helps me.

“People are amazed by what Oliver does for me and I really can’t put into words just how much easier my life is because of him.”

She added: “Everyone who walks will be helping Hearing Dogs for Deaf People to train more hearing dogs that will change people’s lives just like Oliver has changed mine.”

The walk at Haigh will feature a demonstration by local Hearing Dog partnerships and a fun dog show.

Walkers can get themselves or their dogs sponsored to raise money to fund hearing dog puppy Oscar’s training journey.

It costs around £40k to fully train and support Oscar, a cocker spaniel puppy who has just started his training to become a life-changing hearing dog, and the charity receives no government funding.

Tickets are available for £10 online, £12 on the day, and children (under 16) can enter for free.

Further information www.greatbritishdogwalk.org.