There were plenty of wagging tails and smiling faces to be seen at Woolverstone Hall this Sunday, as St Elizabeth Hospice’s inaugural Take My Lead, fundraising dog walk, took place.
Throughout Sunday morning, the stunning grounds of the Grade I listed manor house saw over 150 hounds, and their humans, completing 5km and 10km walks in the 80 acres of rural parkland, overlooking the River Orwell, in support of independent Suffolk charity, St Elizabeth Hospice.
Diane Yarrow-Smith, who attended Take My Lead with her dog Buster, said: “The hospice gave amazing care to my husband Mark before he passed away. Buster and I were even allowed to stay with Mark over Christmas, while he received support from the hospice nurses.
“They gave him the best care he could have had and we made lots of friends with the staff. Fundraising events like Take My Lead are a great opportunity to give back to the hospice and it has been brilliant to see all the dogs here today.”
From labradoodles and dachshunds through to golden retrievers and every breed in between, the family-friendly event saw pooches of all shapes and sizes take on the canine challenge to show their support for the hospice, while enjoying exclusive access to the sniffs and sights of Woolverstone Hall (WOOFerstone Hall).
Joanne Rodger, St Elizabeth Hospice events and challenges manager at the hospice, said: “Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers, supporters and dogs who made Take My Lead such a brilliant event.
“We loved seeing all the adorable dogs enjoying themselves as they completed their walks. All the funds raised will make a big difference to the hospice’s work throughout the local community and we are extremely grateful to everyone who supported Take My Lead.”