Page 26 - Inspire Autumn/Winter Edition 2017

Love Stories

Lo e We are blown away by the originality, creativity and generosity of our

Stories supporters who have turned what they love into unique fundraising
events. Inspire caught up with four of them to find out more about
their love stories…

Cheers, Carolyn!

Carolyn Tripp is a super talented lady. Graduating from Camberwell
College of Arts with a degree in ceramics, she loves making
beautiful things on her beloved potters wheel.

In April, Carolyn lost her mum. She and her sister, Aileen, were
devastated yet determined to arrange a funeral fit for their amazing mum.

“It became clear that we wanted the order of service to honour
the wonderful woman we had lost,” Carolyn reflects.

“Soon, two pages became ten, with paintings, photos, poems and
lyrics, and we finally felt we had something fitting. Afterwards it felt
wrong just to put this memory in a drawer and I decided to see what
the illustrations would look like on a mug. I often made mugs for
my mum and sister and we enjoyed many cuppas together over
the years – always in a bone china mug!

“I have pledged to donate £2 from every mug sale and I
hope whatever I manage to raise will help make a difference.”

Paws for Hope

Full time mum and former veterinary nurse, Sarah Lea, just loves animals so it was no
surprise when she trained as a veterinary nurse, nor was it any great shock when she
brought home a new pet; she had four cats each with something missing – a leg,
or an ear!
So when Sarah’s friend Hannah lost her dad to lung cancer and their close
friend, Fiona, died of breast cancer, they decided to organise a dog walk.

It was a tail-wagging success and the pair now run it every year. Sarah tells us
about their latest event:

“This year was our fourth year; each year it’s got bigger and bigger. This year,
45 dogs and their owners joined us on our walk around Heather Farm Wetlands.
We asked for a donation to take part, and also ran a tombola.

“It’s an incredible sight to see – 45 tails wagging through the long grass, all
wearing their purple bandanas – Fiona’s favourite colour. You’d think it would be
chaos but all the dogs get on; it’s like a little doggie social!

“Then everyone gets together for a coffee and cake in the dog-friendly café.”

26 Inspire 2017