Dog walkers from all over will unite at the end of the month to celebrate The Great British Dog Walk.

The popular event, by national charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, will be coming to Beale Park for its fifth year on March 30.

Hundreds of walkers of all ages, and dogs of all shapes and sizes, will be 'walking the walk' to have fun, meet like-minded people and support the charity, which trains dogs that help deaf people leave behind loneliness and reconnect with life.

The walk is sponsored by Specsavers Audiologists, helping Hearing Dogs to raise more funds to change the lives of deaf people.

New for this year, walkers can get themselves or their dogs sponsored by friends, family and colleagues to raise money to fund puppy Troy’s training journey.

Troy is a cocker spaniel puppy who has just begun his training to become a life-changing hearing dog.

Throughout the next two years he will be trained to alert deaf people to important and life-saving sounds, such as the smoke alarm, intruder alarm, alarm clock and oven timer.

It costs around £40,000 to fully train and support a hearing dog for the duration of its life.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People receives no government funding, so every walker will be helping to change the life of a deaf person.

On the day there are two walk options – either 5km or 7.5km routes, making it ideal for dog owners, families, single walkers, organised walking groups and those who simply want to meet lots of dogs and get a bit of exercise for a good cause.

George Street, from Bracknell, is one person who is benefitting from a hearing dog.

He said: "My hearing dog Watson has been a real life changer for me.

"At home he is my ears, alerting me every day to important sounds that I would normally miss, like the alarm clock, oven timer and in an emergency, the smoke alarm.

"He doesn’t only give me practical assistance though - he provides lots of emotional support, helps me to feel less isolated and when I am out and people see him, he really breaks the ice and his burgundy jacket tells people I have hearing loss, which really helps me.

"People are amazed by what Watson does for me and I really can’t put into words just how much he easier my life is because of him.

"Everyone who walks the Great British Dog Walk will be helping Hearing Dogs for Deaf People to train another hearing dog that will change someone’s life just like Watson has changed mine."

Chris Other, director of audiology at Specsavers, said: "We’re so proud of our involvement in the Great British Dog Walk and the fact that this fun event helps change the lives of deaf people.

"If every person who walked the Great British Dog Walk raised just £10 the charity could train another dog to alert deaf people to important and life-saving sounds that they would otherwise miss and give them a lifetime of companionship and emotional support.

"Not only does taking part help Hearing Dogs to train more life-changing dogs but it’s a great way for people to get some exercise and fresh air, meet new people and most of all, have a fun day with lots of lovely dogs."

To sign-up to the Beale Park Great British Dog Walk, or for more information visit www.greatbritishdogwalk.org.