Dog walkers encouraged at this year’s Moonlight Walk Stamford

27th June 2019

Reggie at the Moonlight Walk Lincoln

St Barnabas Hospice is welcoming dog walkers to this year’s Moonlight Walk Stamford in September.

Taking place on Saturday 14th September, the second Moonlight Walk Stamford hosted by St Barnabas Hospice is welcoming both humans and dogs to walk in memory of loved ones. The Moonlight Walk Stamford will begin at Borderville Sports Centre, with doors opening to the public at 7.30pm.

Reggie the Cockerpoo took part in the Moonlight Walk Lincoln earlier this year with his owner, Debbie, who he really helped through a difficult time. Debbie’s husband, Richard Braunton, was diagnosed with stage four Frontal Lobe Glioblastoma in January 2017 and sadly died in March 2018, age 49. Debbie said:

“We initially thought St Barnabas was just somewhere you go to die. Little did we know what amazing support, care and activities they offer to both patients and their families and carers.

“Whilst he was able, Rich went to do Tai Chi at the Lincoln Day Therapy Centre. Although sometimes he struggled, we still managed to get him there just to chat to someone outside of family and friends. We also had lunches there with family which was lovely.

“As Rich became more poorly, he was admitted for respite care to the Hospice, where he was so well looked after.”

Debbie also received a lot of free support from St Barnabas, both during and after Richard’s illness. Debbie said:

“I was given a course of reflexology as a way to relax. This was lovely and a great way to unwind for an hour to myself.

“After Rich died, I decided, in the end, to go to the counselling group which was really beneficial. Overall, St Barnabas staff and volunteers were truly supportive for me and our family at such a difficult time.”

“St Barnabas offers such varied support and is a sanctuary to go to talk and show emotions which I didn’t want to show my family as I felt I had to be strong for them.

“Although they have volunteers, they are a charity and as such, need money to continue to offer support to other families in similar circumstances to my own.

“In life, we never know what lies ahead of us and we never think that tragedy could strike so early. To know that St Barnabas is there to be our backbone in these circumstances is a massive thing and I would urge everyone to support the Hospice. I never imagined I would be in this position.”

Louise Cotton, Events Fundraiser for St Barnabas Hospice, said:

“Debbie’s story has moved us all at St Barnabas and it’s lovely to know that Reggie was able to help her through such a difficult time. We look forward to meeting lots of dogs like Reggie at this year’s Moonlight Walk Stamford, but there are a couple of rules.

“Please make sure dogs are kept on non-retractable leads, they must be friendly and sociable with people and with other dogs.”

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