A HELSBY couple have set themselves the challenge of cycling 225 miles around the Outer Hebrides to raise awareness and funds for the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.
Andrew and Paula Chalmers and Jarvis, their Cockapoo are cycling the Hebridean Way, a stunning, but demanding route that winds through 10 islands, from Vatersay in the south to The Butt of Lewis in the north.
The couple were inspired to support Hearing Dogs for Deaf People’s life-changing work because their daughter Rebekah works for the charity.
“Since Rebekah joined Hearing Dogs, we’ve been able to see first-hand the profound difference the dogs make to deaf people’s lives.
“Not only do they alert deaf people to life-saving and important sounds like smoke alarms, doorbells and even baby monitors, they also offer 24/7 companionship, which helps people to overcome the isolation that often comes with deafness.”
While Andrew is no stranger to endurance rides—having already completed long-distance routes like the London to Paris, the Southern Upland Way, and the Way of the Roses—this is Paula’s most ambitious cycling challenge yet.
“I hadn’t been on a bike in years before we started training,” said Paula. “But the cause is so close to our hearts, I knew I had to do it.”
The couple have already experienced the kindness of strangers during training. “One day, we stopped for a coffee break at a café in the grounds of a church,” Andrew recalled. “We were chatting to the lady serving and told her about our trip. The next thing we knew, she disappeared inside the church and came out with a ten-pound note! It was such a lovely gesture.”
Despite the physical demands of their trip, Andrew and Paula are looking forward to meeting people along the way. Andrew said: “On previous cycle trips, I’ve met so many interesting people. Once, I stopped at a farm to ask if I could top up my water bottles, and the next thing I knew, I was in the farm kitchen eating scones and jam, having been given another donation!”
Anyone wanting to support Andrew and Paula and donate to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, can visit their JustGiving page at: www.justgiving.com/page/andrew-chalmers-5