Dean says, “After meeting Carl and his dog Ingle I was so impressed with the whole idea of using dogs to help deaf people that I just wanted to help, so I built a plan, and a steam car! I have been so surprised by how few people have heard about the Hearing Dogs charity and I want to raise a significant amount of money for it.”

32 year-old Carl, who lost his hearing at the age of three after contracting meningitis, was partnered with black Labrador Ingle five years ago. He says “I fell in love straight away. Until she came along, I could never have 100 per cent freedom and independence. I could not depend on myself totally, and could not just go where I liked since I relied on others for certain things in my life. Not so any more! What a transformation now that I have Ingle!”

Dean and Steve started their drive from John O’Groats on 2nd August. The Lykamobile has an average speed of 10 miles per hour, with a top speed of just 37 miles per hour. It has to stop once every hour to take on more water, and it has to be topped up with diesel twice a day. There are also be stops en-route for fundraising and special events. The pair expect to arrive at Lands End on 16th August.

They have absorbed all their own costs, so all the money raised is going to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.