OTLEY WOMAN TO RUN LONDON MARATHON FOR HEARING DOG CHARITY

Charlotte Amess, 35, says she first became aware of the difficulties for deaf people when she was a child, having grown up with a family friend who had hearing loss.

Her connection to Hearing Dogs began seven years ago when her dad bought her a puppy sponsorship as a gift.

“Until then, I didn’t know hearing dogs existed,” she said. “As I learned more about the charity, I was amazed at the life-changing impact these dogs have.

“One of the things I love most is that you can see the outcome of your fundraising – from the puppies being trained to when they’re matched with a deaf person and the difference they make to their independence and confidence.”

Although a keen cross-country runner at school, Charlotte only took up running again seriously when she met her partner Will four years ago.

“Until then, I just used it to exercise and get some fresh air. But after doing a few 5Ks and 10Ks together, I started to enjoy working towards goals. In 2023 we ran the Valencia Half Marathon and I was hooked.”

Charlotte says that when Hearing Dogs offered her a place in the London Marathon, she was over the moon, and the fact that it wasn’t a huge charity made her want to run for it even more.

“I’m loving the whole thing! Throughout the process, it’s felt almost like a little community. I didn’t expect this level of involvement from the charity. I feel as though I’ve become a sort of ambassador for them. I’m a bit proud to be honest!”

Now deep into her London Marathon training, Charlotte runs three to four times a week, with long runs on Sundays and shorter sessions midweek, alongside visits to the gym.

“It’s not completely all-consuming, but you do have to plan your life around it. My friends know I can’t be out late on a Saturday because Sunday is long-run day – and no glass of wine the night before!”

Her training hasn’t been without setbacks though. Shortly after starting her marathon preparation in November, Charlotte suffered a painful ankle injury.

“I burst into tears when I did it – not because of the pain, but because I thought my dream was shattered. But the support from the Hearing Dogs team has been incredible. We have a WhatsApp group and several other runners shared that they’d had similar injuries. I wasn’t expecting the massive team feel.”

As race day approaches, Charlotte admits to feeling nervous – particularly as she is due to start later in the day.

“I’ll have plenty of time in the morning to let the nerves build! But I just need to remember that I’ve got months of training behind me. I’ve done the work.”

And she says that while crossing the finish line will be a huge personal achievement, knowing that the money she has raised will help change lives is her biggest motivation.

After the race, Charlotte has already planned her celebration. “The hotel we’ve booked has one of those huge copper baths in the room, so I think I might just have a really long bath and a great big glass of wine. If I’m up to it, we might also go out for a meal with the friends and family who are coming down to support me.”

Anyone who would like to support Charlotte’s fundraising and help train more life-changing hearing dogs, can visit: https://events.hearingdogs.org.uk/fundraisers/CharlotteAmess/londonmarathon