The Mail on Sunday

HOW HEDGEHOGS EASE MY MIND

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RECOVERING my mental health after breast cancer hasn’t been just down to exercise. Since hanging up my surgical gown, I’ve also thrown myself into charity work.

It all started when I found a tiny hedgehog in my garden. I knew that they shouldn’t be out in the day, and after a quick Google about what to do, discovered there was a hedgehog rescue centre, Poppy’s Creche, in nearby Stowmarket.

The centre is run by an amazing couple in their 70s who look after more than 100 orphaned and poorly hedgehogs.

It’s a full-time job. Baby hedgehogs need feeding every two hours day and night, and never have a day or night off.

I asked if I could help out, and they said yes.

I now spend a couple of hours every Tuesday morning cleaning up hedgehog ‘houses’ and making up nests with old newspapers.

I have a couple of hedgehog houses and an infrared camera in my garden. I leave dry kitten food and water out for the wandering hogs.

As I’ve said, Dermot and I had only just married when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It had always been our plan to have a child, but my treatment has taken away that option.

I do still grieve for the family I’ll never have – and looking after animals, I suppose, is one way I can still nurture and care.

 ??  ?? NEW FOCUS: Liz with one of her ‘hogs’
NEW FOCUS: Liz with one of her ‘hogs’

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