FIRE- and glass-walking are the latest ways to raise money. The local branch of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People enlisted UK-based company Blaze to guide sponsored volunteers through their daredevil fund-raising initiative. Last year’s event generated £6,000.

‘It was on the success of last year’s challenge that we put it on again this year,’ said the charity’s chairman, Joan Tostevin, adding that there were no injuries.

‘We had 35 people take part [last year] and they all said that they would like to do the glass walk this year.’

Unfortunately, the planned glass-walking did not go ahead because the glass, which needs to be sterilised in advance, did not arrive in Guernsey. Fire-walking went ahead as planned, with about 20 people taking part. The charity hopes to put on the glass-walking in two weeks’ time.

Barbara Cleaver, 79, was one of those who took part last year.

‘I was on a high afterwards. It was fantastic.’

Despite a 20ft walk across 1,200F glowing embers, Mrs Cleaver said she did not feel the heat.

‘I had no fear whatsoever.

‘It was something I have wanted to do since I was 18 and it’s one of those things I knew I would enjoy doing.’

Deputy John Gollop also took part last year and has registered to do the forthcoming glass-walk.

‘He did brilliantly,’ said Mrs Tostevin.’

Money raised goes towards the hearing dog training centre in the UK.

‘Any applicants within the Bailiwick can apply for a hearing dog free of charge.’

Funds are looking good for this year, with one person having raised £1,100.

‘I have heard of a few £200s and amounts like that, so people are doing really well.’

There are three dogs in Guernsey, one of which is in training. They have a three-month probation period, after which they are assessed.

‘If he’s working well with his owner, then he gets a burgundy jacket,’ said Joan Tostevin.

‘They are priceless.’

The dogs respond to sounds in the deaf person’s home such as a doorbell, alarm clocks and telephones. They also respond to smoke alarms.

‘Instead of taking the owner to the sound, they will lie down in front indicating danger. This means that somebody can lead an independent life because the dog will act as their ears.’

Betty Tostevin, who is deaf, has owned Boo, an Elkhund-Buhund cross, for about nine years.

‘She’s made a great difference to my life,’ she said.

‘It’s very difficult to imagine life without her now. She’s provided so much security and friendship and I’m not so lonely. I’m doing things I wouldn’t have dreamed of doing.’

Betty Tostevin, who lives alone, began to lose her hearing when she was still a teenager. She said that the main difficulty with deafness was not knowing what she had not heard.

‘You can gradually tend to withdraw and you can live in your own little world.’

Unable to hear the doorbell, visitors would have to plan a meeting in advance.

‘I would have to sit and watch for them. If they didn’t turn up, I would be sitting there. It was quite stressful and Boo has got rid of all that.

‘I wish I had had a hearing dog when I was 18.’

The exact date for the glass-walking is still undecided, but Joan Tostevin is keen to find more recruits. If anybody wants to take part or to pledge their support, she can be contacted on 263076. The charity also plays an advisory role, with deaf dog owners such as Betty Tostevin and Martin Searle giving public talks. People can find out more by contacting Joan Tostevin or charity secretary Owen Allen on 247561.