Last weekend local MP Sheryll Murray was pleased to meet Skipp, a hearing dog, along with his owner Patrick Lidstone at one of her regular local surgeries in Looe. Whilst discussing issues relating to disabled access Sheryll spoke of her pride that it was her predecessor, Lady Beatrice Wright, who set up the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People charity with Dr Bruce Foggle 30 years ago this year.
American born Beatrice “Babs” Rathbone became the first female MP for the area (Sheryll is the second) in 1941 following her husband’s death, in action, with Bomber Command. Beatrice Rathbone became Beatrice Wright in 1942 when she married Peter Wright, then an army officer.
After the meeting Sheryll commented, “Hearing Dogs is a fantastic charity and it is good to see it making a real difference here in the constituency. I feel certain that Lady Wright would be thrilled that the work she begun 30 years ago is now benefiting the area she represented as a Conservative MP during the Second World War. I would encourage anyone who can give to this very worthwhile cause to do so.”
The Hearing Dogs for Deaf People charity trains guide dogs to alert deaf people to important sounds or danger signals. There are over 750 dogs currently working with deaf people in the country. Full details can be found on their website at: http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/
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Notes to Editors: Contact: Office of Sheryll Murray MP on 01579 344428
Pictured: Skipp with Sheryll Murray MP and his owner Patrick Lidstone in Looe