|
|
|
PPDG's Paul McCaughan is about to pluck up the courage to leap from a speeding plane and hurtle several thousand feet to earth at a great rate of knots – all in the name of charity.
Paul McCaughan has agreed to take part in a skydive in an effort to raise money to fund a hearing dog for a deaf person. The 27-year-old peripatetic MIC will perform the stunt at Bicester airfield on Saturday, August 23rd and Paul’s efforts will take PPDG’s fundraising drive above the £5,000 needed in order to provide a hearing dog.
Charity fundraiser Paul McCaughan, of Pertemps People Development Group, will opt for something more substantial than a Mary Poppins-style umbrella when he skydives to raise money for Hearing Dogs
Over 650,000 people in the UK are severely or profoundly deaf and could benefit from a hearing dog. Hearing Dogs for Deaf People was launched at Crufts Dog Show in 1982. Since then it has continued to train dogs to alert deaf people to specific sounds, whether in the home, workplace or public buildings. To date the charity has placed more than 1,400 hearing dogs throughout the UK.
Paul said: “I have skydived once before, in New Zealand, and really enjoyed it although I was apprehensive. The worst part was when the plane was gaining altitude and it felt like a creeping death. But once the door opens something else kicks in and you just focus on what’s ahead of you.
“I decided to do something worthwhile for charity and decided on the skydive. PPDG’s PR manager Phil Pemble explained to me about hearing dogs, where the company was in its fundraising and how much more was needed, and that they had someone lined up to receive the dog. This event will take the fundraising past the £5,000 target and I’m delighted to be able to help.”
Phil Pemble said: “It’s great that Paul’s willing to put himself through the exciting yet terrifying ordeal of skydiving in order to help someone less fortunate than himself. The fantastic support and sponsorship he has been pledged by friends, family and colleagues means we will complete our fundraising and will be able to train a hearing dog and pay for its upkeep.
“We have learned that hearing dogs change lives. They alert their deaf owners to sounds most of us take for granted, providing greater independence, confidence and security. Most of these dogs are selected from rescue centres or donated as unwanted pets.”
Return to list
