A DEAF man and his dog are gearing up to walk 146 miles on a Shakespearean trail.

Antony Sabin, 85, from Great Rollright, and his hearing dog Branson aim to walk from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, in Stratford, to the Globe Theatre, in London. Together, they hope to raise £35,000 for charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, with some of the funds going towards a new loop system for deaf visitors to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Mr Sabin said: “Being deaf is very challenging indeed.

“Having my beloved Branson looking out for me has made such a fantastic difference.

“We get a huge amount of pleasure raising money, so that other deaf people can benefit too — and it is a great project that keeps us fit.”

The duo will be waved off by well-wishers from the RSC at its open day on Sunday, July 19.

Mr Sabin has appealed for people from the villages and towns that he will pass to join him for stages of the walk, as 12-year-old Branson is too old to take part in the whole of the challenge.

RSC actor Patrick Stewart, who is performing in Waiting for Godot, is the patron of Mr Sabin’s Walk and hopes to join him.

He said: “Along with the RSC, I am so happy to support Antony and his dog Branson in this fantastic sponsored walk. I hope that at 85, I will still be taking on impressive challenges such as this.”

Mr Sabin’s route will take him through Woodstock and Oxford.

He hopes to reach London on Saturday, August 8.

In their eight years together, Mr Sabin and Branson have walked almost 500 miles, and raised more than £35,000 for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. To sponsor Mr Sabin, visit justgiving.com/antonybransonshakespearewalk