About Us
The Milton Keynes and District Fundraising Branch of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People was formed in February 2007. Hearing Dog recipient Janet Durbidge and Hearing Dog speaker Joan Harrington had worked hard throughout 2006 running stalls at various events and raised £1,500 for the charity. As more people volunteered their help it was decided to set up a branch of our own.
With the help and support of Ruth Dunkin and Ann Ramsden from the charity’s head office the officers were voted in and the branch was launched.
The current branch officers for 2010 are:
Chairperson – Helen Peters
Secretary – Paul Niven
Treasurer – Jane Minard – has a Hearing Dog called Iris.
The other committee members are:
Craft Officers – Janet Durbidge (knitting) and Jane Minard (sewing)
Events Officer and HD Goods co-ordinator – Dorcas Forgan
Membership Secretary – Vicky Farthing
Social Secretary – Bruce Minard
Speaker co-ordinator – Terrence Dawes
Stock Managers – Mary Wiles and Elisabeth Payne
Website – Alison Renwick
At the 2009 AGM Doreen Monk stood down from her post as chairperson and was unanimously appointed to President.
The branch meets on a regular basis to discuss forthcoming events and fundraising ideas.
We also have three members that are now registered speakers for the charity, Joan Harrington was our original speaker and she has recently been joined by Terrence Dawes who socialised Jamie and now looks after brood bitch Dotty and Helen Peters our chairperson. If you are interested in having a talk about Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and the work the charity does at your club, school or other group or event please do get in touch with us.
Other members of our branch are puppy socialisers and brood and stud dog holders. If you have ever thought about volunteering to be a socialiser or would be interested in finding out more about it, please read Alison’s experiences or find out more from Hearing Dogs.