The Great British Dog Walk takes place this month

The Great British Dog Walk takes place later this month.

The annual charity event by Hearing Dogs For Deaf People will be held at Bodiam Castle in Robertsbridge on May 19.

It will be raising funds so the charity can continue training hearing dogs, who can change people's lives as they alert them to important sounds.

This will be the ninth year of the walk, which usually attracts hundreds of people and dogs.

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Things will kick off at 11am and people can choose from a 3km or 5km walk. There will also be activities and games  before and after.

More information can be found at https://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/support/events/gbdw-2024-bodiam-castle/.

Carina Hummel, managing director at Specsavers Audiology which is sponsoring the walk, said: "This is an excellent way for people to have fun, get some exercise, meet like-minded people and perhaps most importantly, meet lots of cute dogs while supporting a good cause.

"If every person who took part in the Great British Dog Walk raised just £10 by getting themselves or their dog sponsored, the charity could train another dog to alert a deaf person to important and life-saving sounds they would otherwise miss and help them leave loneliness behind.

"We’re very much looking forward to the walk and hope lots of people from the area will come along and show their support."

Children under 16 can take part in the walk free. Adult tickets cost £12 in advance and £15 on the day.

Sponsorship is also encouraged but not essential.

Each adult ticket comes with a free limited-edition Great British Dog Walk dog bandana and there will be working hearing dogs and puppies in training on the day for people to meet.

A spokesman for Hearing Dogs For Deaf People said: "A sponsored walk to transform deaf people’s lives. Hearing loss is rising. This invisible disability has devastating impacts on people’s safety and mental health.

"Take part in this 3km or 5km sponsored dog walk and raise funds to train more incredible hearing dogs who alert to life-saving and important sounds and break down social barriers for deaf people."