Hearing Dogs Hero
783. Fiona Daniels
Fiona Daniels, from Haddenham, has trained more hearing dogs than any other UK volunteer to date.
Fiona volunteers daily for the Buckinghamshire branch of ‘Hearing Dogs’, where she has been a trainer, administrator, and fundraiser for over a decade. In total she has trained 111 hearing dogs for deaf people, despite difficult personal circumstances while she has been undergoing treatment for lymphoedema. In recognition of Fiona’s achievements, in 2012 she received the ‘Hearing Dogs’ Chief Executive’s Special Recognition Award. This Point of Light award coincides with the start of International Deaf Awareness Week, which aims to raise awareness about the deaf community at individual, community and governmental levels.
In a personal letter to Fiona, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“By volunteering for ‘Hearing Dogs’, you have trained over 100 dogs for deaf people. This achievement is truly remarkable, and you should be very proud of the effect your work has had on the lives of many deaf people.”
Fiona said:
“I thoroughly enjoy all the different aspects of volunteering that I do within ‘Hearing Dogs for Deaf People,’ especially working with our fantastic dogs who will go on to transform the lives of people with hearing loss. I am delighted to receive this award and hope that it will encourage other people to volunteer for this amazingly friendly charity, it’s like being part of an extended family and is extremely rewarding.”