Students help Hearing Dogs for Deaf People

Students at Canterbury College have been praised for using panto season to raise hundreds of pounds for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People (HDDP).

Supported Learning students presented raised £250 for the charity by putting on a production of Cinderella before Christmas. They presented HDDP volunteer Brian Whitehead, client Janet West and her hearing dog Echo, a 7-year-old papillon, with a cheque at the College on Wednesday (1 February).

Brian and Janet spoke to the Entry 2 and Entry 3 students about the HDDP’s work, with occasional demonstrations from Echo. They took questions from the group before receiving the cheque from Isaac Bason and John Jefferies, both 16, who played the King and the Prince in the production.

Brian was grateful for Canterbury College’s support. He said: “We are absolutely delighted with the donation and grateful to all the students for their hard work raising the money.”

Janet, who uses hearing aids and relies on Echo’s help in day-to-day life, added: “I think it’s tremendous. We really appreciate it. Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is not a charity that a lot of people know about, and we really appreciate the support.”

More than 40 students acted in, directed, and worked behind the scenes on Cinderella. It was performed to more than 100 people, including friends and family, in the College’s Main Hall just before Christmas. The College’s Catering students provided refreshments to the audience, who each paid £1 to see the show.

The Supported Learning department is planning an Easter performance but has not yet chosen a charity to support.

Canterbury College offers a range of Supported Learning courses which provide learners with a range of vocational, employment and independent living skills. Many students progress through the different levels of course within the department before progressing onto mainstream courses and further training within the College and beyond.