MEMBERS of Britain’s Royal Air Force have lent their support to national charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People by encouraging St Helens residents to sponsor a hearing dog puppy for Christmas.

'The Change a Life, Sponsor a Puppy' Christmas campaign is inviting people across St Helens to sponsor a hearing dog puppy for a loved one this Christmas.

The charity receives many requests from deaf people every year for a hearing dog due to the life changing benefits a partnership can bring.

Puppy sponsorship plays a key role in the continued development of this vital service.

The military are exposed to a lot of loud noises which can contribute to hearing loss so RAF personnel were delighted to lend their support to the charity’s important Christmas fundraising cause.

Staff at RAF HQ Air Command base, who sponsored a puppy for the troops, recently met three adorable Cocker spaniel puppies currently in training to become fully qualified hearing dogs.

Nicola Litchfield – Hearing Dogs For Deaf People Community Fundraising Manager for the North West said: “We are thrilled the RAF is supporting our sponsor a puppy campaign and they will of course be receiving regular updates and photographs on the progress of the puppies.

"Anyone can sponsor a hearing dog puppy as a gift for a loved one, and the best part of this Christmas present is that you will also be changing the life of a deaf person.”

Each hearing dog puppy goes through eighteen months of training to learn to respond to sounds such as the alarm clock, doorbell and smoke alarm.

Once fully qualified, that hearing dog will go on to transform a deaf person’s life by offering life-changing independence, confidence and companionship.

The public can sponsor hearing dog puppies Merry and Berry from just £3 a month and each welcome pack includes a certificate, gorgeous photos, and other exciting gifts.

Sponsors donating £5 or more per month will also receive a cute and cuddly soft hearing dog toy.

To find out more about sponsoring a puppy, visit www.hearingdogs.org.uk/puppy or call Hearing Dogs for Deaf People on 01844 348100.