Lucy was chosen by Hugo’s family to receive Hugo’s Special Recognition Award 2024 for her incredible devotion and fundraising for charity, Held in our Hearts.
Lucy’s total fundraising for the charity since 2019, is just under a phenomenal £16,000.
Lucy is a 14 year old Yorkshire terrier cross who was rescued by her lovely owners Kelly and Sharon, when she was four years old. She is a loving, charismatic and comical companion. A very devoted and compassionate little dog who has spent years being dedicated to reach this fundraising total.
Held in Our Hearts are a Scottish charity who provide baby loss counseling and peer support to families, with over 40 years’ experience of offering compassionate bereavement care in the community.
Lucy’s fundraising missions are no small feat, taking on big challenges for little paws! Lucy, with her owners by her side, has accomplished great missions and long distances to reach their incredible £16,000.
Lucy’s owner Kelly says:
“In 2018 my brother and his wife’s baby girl Ivy Jean was born sleeping. They were devastated but at the time engaged with a charity called SANDS Lothian (now known as Held in Our Hearts) to access support, and the help they received was a lifeline for them.”
“In 2019 we decided that we would walk the West Highland Way (in reverse) to fundraise for the then SANDS Lothian in memory of Ivy Jean, but rather than ask people to sponsor us we would ask them to sponsor the yorkie dog to walk the 96 miles – a much bigger challenge for her than it would have been for us!”
“Every year since 2019 Lucy has also fundraised through her annual ‘Ivy Jean Walk’ which has taken place in a variety of different places (Fort William, Calendar and Linlithgow – one year Lucy walked from Edinburgh to Roslin – turns out this is a full half marathon!) Lucy also did the ‘virtual kiltwalk’ in 2021 and walked from Dunbar to North Berwick!”
Lucy has also involved many other pets to get involved in her mission of kindness. From dogs and cats, to horses, birds and exotics, taking part in her charity pet calendar to help raise money.
Kelly:
“For the last 3 years Lucy has run a pet photo competition for the Held in Our Hearts Pet Calendar (producing calendars for 2022, 2023 and 2024) to fundraise.”
“Since 2019 Lucy has raised over £12000 for Held in Our Hearts which we think is amazing!”
“In addition to all of the above, Lucy has also helped and motivated (which isn’t always easy) her humans to fundraise. One ran a marathon for the charity (this was me, Human number 2) and the other (Sharon) completed 50 challenges in the year preceding her 50th Birthday! Lucy’s total fundraising since 2019 is just under £16000.”
“Lucy doesn’t do all of the work herself, she has a lot of help from other people and the folk that support her – but it is certainly a lot easier for her to persuade people to donate their hard earned pennies than it would be for me to.”
Lucy does lots of training to prepare for these walks, and gets health checks at Westport Vets before events to ensure she is in her best health for her missions.
Video link – Lucy finishing the West Highland Way (the original Ivy Jean Walk) – https://www.facebook.com/
Kelly:
“I should add, we didn’t make Lucy walk the 96 miles of the West Highland Way, she did get carried in a bag for at least 80 of the 96 miles!”
Dawn Watson (Hugo’ family):
“We chose Lucy as Held In Our Hearts is a charity close to our hearts and Mum has done lots of knitting for the babies over the years, and Lucy’s story just touched our hearts.”
Lucy received her award at Hugo’s Hero Award 2024 Presentation event at Westport Vets Linlithgow practice on Thursday 12th September. She was presented with a personalised glass award from Hugo’s family and a winners rosette, certificate and dog goodies from Westport Vets.
Westport Veterinary Clinic:
“Lucy is a little dog with the biggest heart. The drive, dedication, and passion she has, with her lovely owners, to raise so much money for this invaluable charity is truly inspiring”
“We are so pleased she is getting this very well deserved recognition for her work. Helping so many others who need support at such difficult and heartbreaking times, Lucy is a superhero in our eyes.”
The Held in Our Hearts Pet Charity Calendar for 2025 competition is currently open for entries – details on how to take part can be found on Westport Vets Facebook pages or you can request details via the Westport Veterinary Clinic Linlithgow Facebook Messenger.
