An award-winning playwright and BBC actress has backed our campaign, Paws for a Cause.
Eloise Pennycot, who started going deaf at the age of 11 and was profoundly deaf at 13, received her cochlear implant just before her 14th birthday.
Since then she has emphasised the importance of giving people the support they need to live full and ‘independent’ lives.
Miss Eloise Pennycot said: “Support dogs can make such a tangible improvement to people’s quality of life. I really encourage more people to get involved with and donate to this campaign, because even just a little time or money can make such a huge difference.
“To invest in this campaign is to invest in joy, companionship and independence.”
Over the course of her acting career, she has taken on roles to increase deaf representation in mainstream media.
She starred as Marinela in Amazon Prime Video’s 2023 ‘The Power’, and later, Daisy in the BBC’s 2023-2024 production of ‘Phoenix Rise’, both deaf characters who use sign language.
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In 2022, Miss Pennycot won the National Theatre’s New Views competition award for her play ‘Barriers’, which is touring the UK this autumn.
She added: “I am so pleased to support this campaign to help more people access confidence in their independence, and wholeheartedly hope it will help get the amazing animals to those who will benefit from them.”
Miss Pennycot continues to be an advocate for both the deaf and disabled communities through her educational videos and work within theatres such as the National Theatre.
Paws for a Cause is aiming to raise £1000 for 10 autistic children to meet their support dogs, increase autism assistance dog Penny’s sponsorships to 20, and get 10 people to register interest as puppy socialisers.
It’s part of a wider effort to reduce the waiting list at Support Dogs and ensure those with physical disabilities, epilepsy, and autism have access to the help they need.