HOW HEDGEHOGS EASE MY MIND
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.