A CONCERT to raise funds for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People recently was a huge success — and now one avid ambassador for the organisation is calling on people to come forward to form a fundraising group to help the charity further.

The free concert, held at Tavistock Parish Church, raised in the region of £200 for the charity and was put together by the church’s Director of Music, Dr Sean Sweeney, and featured musicians and performers, who were all from local schools.

Tavistock resident and fundraiser Helen Burridge, who has a hearing dog called Sam, helped organise the event.

‘The concert was brilliant and the children were fabulous, and Sean is now thinking about other events in the future for the charity’, said Helen.

Helen’s story of how Sam changed her life was featured in the Times in December 2016.

After Helen took the decision to apply for a hearing dog of her own, she met Sam in 2014 and since then her confidence has increased and she now gives talks about the charity, which she said she would have never done before. She has also been asked to be a mentor for new recipients of a hearing dog.

Helen is keen to spread the word of the charity’s work and wants to change the lives of others by aiming to raise £50,000.

‘I will do what I can to be able to give someone the opportunity I had,’ said Helen.

‘I want to get people involved with fundraising for the charity and I want to form a fundraising group — I will do anything I can to help.’

Anyone who would like to help Helen in forming a fundraising group is asked to call her on 07759 497224.