TV star Ben Fogle has been named patron of a hearing dogs charity co-founded by his father.

The announcement comes during National Deaf Awareness Week (May 15 to 21) as the dog-loving adventurer launches Hearing Dog for Deaf People’s ‘deafness doesn’t have to be lonely’ campaign.

The Saunderton-based charity was co-founded by Ben’s father Dr Bruce Fogle 35 years ago.

Charity bosses said the campaign aims to highlight the “enormously positive” impact that hearing dogs have on the wellbeing of their deaf recipients.

Ben said: “I’ve grown up as part of the Hearing Dogs family so for me to now take on this official role for the charity my father co-founded is a huge honour.

“Through his work, I’ve seen at first-hand how devastating the effects of deafness can be.

“Loneliness and isolation, sometimes driven by embarrassment, lack of self-confidence and self- esteem, can really reduce the quality of life for many deaf people who are left feeling cut off from the world, school, work, friends and family – and can often become quite depressed.

“I’ve met and spoken with many recipients who have told me their hearing dog has quite literally given them their life back; their independence, self-confidence and self-esteem restored and once again happy and enjoying life in a way they never thought possible.

“And that’s all thanks to these very special little canine hearing dog heroes who have taken away the loneliness of deafness and replaced it with a friendship beyond measure.”

Hearing Dogs chief executive Michele Jennings said: “We are hugely grateful to Ben Fogle for continuing the legacy of his father in such an official capacity as we focus on the future.

“It’s an incredibly exciting time for the Charity and I hope that Ben’s support will help us to achieve our vision of increasing the number of hearing dogs we place to achieve 200 new partnerships a year in 2020 to help meet the growing demand for our service.”