The Pets at Home Group has raised more than £550,000 for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People in just four weeks.

The charity, which trains and provides dogs to support deaf people in the UK, said it was the biggest donation it had received from a corporate partner in its 40-year history.

The funds were raised in July by Pets at Home customers and staff through activities including till-point donations across the company’s 450 UK stores and a sponsored 100-mile cycle ride. 

The funds were passed to the Pets at Home Foundation, which had selected Hearing Dogs for Deaf People as the recipient of this year’s summer fundraiser event. 

David Robson, head of marketing for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, said: “For 40 years we have been training hearing dogs to be partnered with those who need their remarkable skills most. This donation will allow us to continue growing those vital partnerships and help many more people for years to come.”

Lyssa McGowan, chief executive of the Pets at Home Group, said: “We are so proud and thankful to all of our colleagues and customers whose efforts throughout July have enabled us to give such significant support to an incredible charity. 

“The work of the Pets at Home Foundation, and our mission to help create a better world for pets and the people who love them, is hugely important to us, and we’re committed to continuing to work together on that mission.”