Congratulations to Dave Thompson - The recipient of the 2024 Time2Volunteer Special Recognition Award.

A Hull lad born and bred, 90-year-old Dave Thompson has certainly seen life. He says he's successfully trialled for Hull City, witnessed the WWI Hull blitz from his front doorstep, and jumped out of aeroplanes during the Suez Crisis in 1956.

Since 1992 he’s been a keen supporter of and champion fundraiser for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. This charity trains clever dogs to alert deaf people (children and adults) to important and life-saving sounds. Deafness can also be very isolating, and hearing dogs provide lots of love, companionship and emotional support.
Dave’s also been a speaker for them, visiting many schools, social groups and organisations not only in Hull but throughout the East Riding and beyond

Dave has never sought acclaim or recognition for himself. If ever he’s put himself ‘out there’ it’s to reach people for the benefit of the charity and communicate what a hearing dog can do – something he witnessed at first hand with his own daughter Denise and her hearing dog.

Angela Southcott, Director of Services & Partnerships, who’s known Dave for some time says “Dave has a huge heart; he is a giver and never says no to someone if they ask for his help. He’s made positive connections with people; they remember his warmth and humour and because of that they remember the charity.”

Whether patiently explaining something to a five-year-old or good-humouredly encouraging donations from companies or individuals, Dave Thompson has engaged equally well with them all.

Dave’s previous Community Fundraising Manager said of him when he was eighty, “He’s a real character, everyone remembers him! His genuine passion for Hearing Dogs shines through when you talk to him and he never fails to generate interest and support for the charity wherever he goes.”