Guy Blaskey, founder of Pooch & Mutt, is running the London Marathon on April 22, raising funds for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.
He told pbwnews: “This time last year I hadn’t run more than a mile in my life (except when forced to do cross-country at school – and I definitely didn't run most of it). The last year has been filled with a bit of pleasure; completing my first 10km and half-marathon and A LOT of pain...two weeks ago I couldn't walk up or down stairs!”
Part of that training included running a 10km race in last July (49 mins 48 secs) and a half marathon (1hr 51 mins). “They both hurt a lot,” he comments.
His inspiration for raising funds for the charity was seeing first-hand at shows the job these trained dogs can do to improve the lives of those less fortunate. “Hearing Dogs trains dogs to act as the ears for deaf people, alerting them to a variety of sounds from door bells to smoke alarms. I visited the charity recently and heard talks by deaf people lucky enough to benefit from having a hearing dog.
“The difference these dogs makes is incredible. Deaf people often feel separated from society and the incidence of depression is incredibly high. These dogs help people to reintegrate with society and get enjoyment from life once again.”
He is asking for donations to help the charity: “By donating to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, you are having a direct effect on someone else's quality and enjoyment of life... but not mine, it means that I have to run 26.2 miles (and hundreds of miles of training runs), and I am not sure there is any enjoyment in that!
“To show your support, I would very much appreciate any donation you could make. All the money goes to Hearing Dogs – none of the money goes to fund the six new pairs of running shoes I have bought in the last year, special running clothes and watches that I probably don't need, or the build-up of extortionate physio bills.
“And feel free to forward this on to anyone you know who might like to donate because they a) know me b) like dogs c) want to help deaf people d) have money that they want to get rid of.”
