Bark in the Park comes to St Catherine’s Park!

Dog-lovers and their families are being invited into the grounds of St Catherine’s Hospice for a day of pet-friendly fun, dog displays and animal attractions at the charity’s popular Bark in the Park fun day.

The fundraiser, which is in its sixth year, will be held in St Catherine’s Park for the first time. Pooches and their owners are being encouraged to sign up now for the leisurely 2.5-mile sponsored walk around the gardens and surrounding area of Lostock Hall.

Dog agility and obedience displays, stalls selling treats for four-legged friends, food for all and a host of other activities are set to keep the whole family entertained between 10am and 3pm on Saturday, September 23.

Hospice supporters John and Liz Webb are looking forward to attending with their five-year-old pooch Luna and her daughter Daisy, aged three.

The foursome, from Leyland, attended the charity’s Moonlight and Memories Walk in July, and are keen to return to St Catherine’s for the canine fun day.

Support worker John said: “The dogs were like little celebrities at the Moonlight and Memories Walk – we dressed them up in pink butterfly wings, so we want to dress them up again for Bark in the Park and the sponsored dog walk. We’re really looking forward to it.”

Teaching assistant Liz added: “It was the first time we’d done the Moonlight and Memories Walk; we did it in memory of my Uncle Ken who died last year. After experiencing the amazing atmosphere on the night, we’re keen to get more involved with St Catherine’s and attend more fundraisers.

“I think it’s really great that Bark in the Park is being held in the hospice grounds; it lets patients know that people are thinking of them and doing something to raise funds for the charity.

“If they’re well enough, they can join in or sit and watch, knowing that they are not alone and that people are supporting them and St Catherine’s. That’s what I liked about the Moonlight and Memories Walk– everyone was cheering and singing, and I imagine it must really raise people’s spirits.”

Liz knows what a devastating effect cancer can have on families, as her mum Linda Melling has been diagnosed with breast cancer twice.

“We know how much St Catherine’s helps people with cancer and other life-shortening illnesses, so we want to do what we can to help,” Liz explained. “My mum has attended support sessions at St Catherine’s, which really made a difference; she made some really great friends which helped keep her positive.”

St Catherine’s fundraiser Emma Jacovelli, said: “We’re so excited to be bringing Bark in the Park to Lostock Hall for the first time this year – people always tell us how much they love coming to St Catherine’s to get involved with the charity and our fundraisers, and we’re sure this event will be no different.

“We’re excited to be welcoming our community into St Catherine’s Park to share this special occasion with us, and we can’t wait to see everyone’s four-legged friends having fun in our grounds in September!”

To register for the sponsored walk, which costs just £3 per dog, click here or call 01772 629171. For updates about attractions at Bark in the Park, follow the Facebook event page here.

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