THE Downing Street Charity Shop has handed over a cheque for £1,000 to Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.

With no government funding, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People relies on donations to help them give deaf people the confidence to leave behind the isolation that deafness can bring.

Hearing dogs alert deaf people to household sounds that many people take for granted such as the alarm clock, doorbell or telephone as well as danger signals such as the smoke alarm.

There are more than 950 hearing dogs currently placed with deaf people across the UK bringing independence, confidence and companionship. For more information visit the website www.hearingdogs.org.uk.