Hospice chief and his dog celebrate end of their 180-mile walk

One man and his dog have completed a 180-mile walk raising awareness of a local hospice charity. John Davies chief executive at Dorothy House Hospice and his springer spaniel Myrtle have visited 20 towns and villages in the region over 15 days. They finished the challenge on the canal tow path from Bradford on Avon to Bath on Friday and hosted the final event of the tour at the Pig and Fiddle Pub. The 15-day event has raised almost £4,500 so far and fundraising continues for another week. The walking tour launched the hospice’s ‘Everyday, Everyone’ plan for 2018-2025 aimed at meeting rising palliative and end-of-life care needs set to increase by a third by 2025 across Bath and North East Somerset, Wiltshire and Somerset. John and the Dorothy House team shared the hospice’s vision for the future, meeting local people, businesses, charities and community groups and raising vital funds for patient care. He said of the tour: “It’s been a delight to meet so many people and share our ambitious vision for the future of end of life care in our local community. “We’ve had superb support from the public, local businesses, charities and community groups on our travels and I’m grateful to all involved for their commitment to the hospice and many thanks to all who joined in with our One Man and His Dog walking challenge.” Phill Duffy from Keynsham, husband of Pip a recent Dorothy House patient who died of cancer aged 36 said: “For our family talking to Dorothy House was important. “They knew my wife, Pip, as a person not just as a clinical challenge. They gave her guided support and reassurance and enabled her to achieve her goals and live the fullest life possible. “Having been with Pip at the hospice, I’m now far more scared about a life not lived than about death.” Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath congratulated John and Myrtle on their challenge. She said: “John’s dedication and passion for Dorothy House shines through when you meet him and this event reflects both his strong leadership and the amazing work of this impressive charity and its outstanding care for people with a life-limiting illness, their families and carers.” To donate visit the One Man & His Dog page on www.localgiving. org or www.dorothyhouse.org.uk