Willesden grandparents walk the Thames path for deaf children’s charity

Grandson Edmund lost his hearing to meningitis last year (Image: Archant)

Ann Trapp, 60, and her husband Philip, 61, from Church Road in Willesden will make the 20 kilometre trek from Putney across 16 bridges to reach Tower Bridge in a bid to raise at least £600 for the National Deaf Children’s Society.

The doting grandparents along with friends Mary and Bernadette were inspired to take up the challenge to support young people with deafness and hearing challenges after Edmund became profoundly deaf as he battled to overcome meningitis last year.

Mrs Trapp said: “It will be hard work for all members of the ‘Edmunds Ears’ team but we are determined to raise as much money as possible to help NDCS in their work.

“It was very difficult to come to terms with Edmund’s profound deafness at first but he had been very ill with both bacterial and viral meningitis at the same time and there could have been far worse consequences. He should, with the support of charities like this, be able to have cochlear implants in his ears to help his hearing. ”

The grandparents, who have undertaken many hours of training to prepare for the trek, will join thousands of walkers along the Thames path on Saturday and say they are “excited” to reach the finish line before heading to the pub for a well-earned lunch.

Clare Salter, Head of Corporate, Community and Events at the National Deaf Children’s Society said: “Every day in the UK four babies are born deaf and nearly all deaf children are from families with no first hand experience of deafness.

“95 per cent of our work is funded by the public so the commitment of people like Anne and Philip is vital in helping us provide much needed support to deaf children and their families.”