AN 83-year-old man, who is deaf and uses a specially-trained dog as his "ears", is planning a 70-mile walk to raise £20,000 to help other hard-of-hearing sufferers.

Antony Sabin, of Great Rollright, will trek 70 miles across the Yorkshire Dales with his "hearing" dog, Branson.

Inspired by Bob Allen's book A Dales Walk, Mr Sabin and the nine-year old black Labrador will set off from Leyburn, Yorkshire, on September 26, aiming to complete the walk by October 5.

They will take in sights such as Bolton Abbey, Aysgarth Force, Hardraw Force, Pendragon Castle, Seven Standards, and Richmond Castle.

Mr Sabin and Branson have an impressive track record.

It will be the duo's third sponsored walk to help the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, and the £20,000 will finance the training and aftercare of four more "hearing" dogs.

In their eight years together, the partnership have walked nearly 400 miles and raised £20,000 in sponsorship.

In 2000, they walked from Long Compton, Warwickshire, to Devon and raised £5,000, and then in 2004 they walked the Seven Shires Way - a 234-mile trip around the county boundary of Oxfordshire - raising £15,000.

Mr Sabin said: "Being deaf is a frustrating aspect of my life. Since Branson became part of my life, he has changed it. He alerts me to the telephone and the doorbell and he has become a much-loved companion.

"Branson and I enjoy our walks and these charity challenges mean that we make a difference to other deaf people by raising money for hearing dogs.

"They also provide a mental and physical stimulus for me as the years go by. Organising these walks keeps my mind active and walking them certainly helps me to keep fit."

Carol Fields, Hearing Dogs regional fundraiser, said: "As a charity we receive no Government funding, and rely on the generosity and ingenuity of people like Antony to raise funds.

  • Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is a registered charity that selects and trains dogs to respond to specific sounds. Hearing dogs alert deaf people by touch, using a paw to gain attention and then lead them back to the sound source. For sounds such as the smoke alarm and fire alarm the dogs will lay down to indicate danger."