ST Clare Hospice has officially revealed the winner of their Cutest Canine photo competition ahead of their Winter Walkies event. Top dog Poppy, a beautiful 9 year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier owned by Yvonne Carter, is set to officially open the charity’s 5k sponsored dog walk taking place on 26th February. Poppy, who is a rescue dog, won the competition against nineteen other dogs after polling an incredible 186 votes on the Hospice’s Facebook page.

Poppy’s owner Yvonne Carter, originally from Epping and now living in Church Langley, said: “When I saw Winter Walkies being advertised on the banner outside the hospice, I instantly went to the St Clare website to sign us up. Poppy and I have a personal connection to St Clare as I was recently cared for in the Inpatient Unit back in December 2016 and the team kindly let Poppy stay there with me. Poppy was so spoilt by everyone at St Clare – the nurses would feed her biscuits throughout the day and the chef even fed her turkey for dinner! We had a sofa bed brought into my room so that Poppy could sleep beside me.”

Commenting on the care she received, Yvonne said: “St Clare really looked after me when I needed them and they did everything they could to help make me feel at home. Having Poppy stay at the hospice with me made a stressful situation a little easier, as I had her there to comfort me. It is only me and Poppy at home so she is my whole world, and gives me a reason to get up each morning.”

Yvonne continued: “When my friend saw that St Clare was hosting the Cutest Canine photo competition she made me enter Poppy straight away. All of my friends, their colleagues and their children were all getting involved in sharing her photo and encouraging everyone they knew to like the photo. My whole experience at St Clare has been amazing and I think fundraising events like Winter Walkies are such a fun idea to help create awareness for the charity. The online competition was a great way to get more people involved in the event and I have tried to encourage everyone I know to come along and walk with Poppy and I on the day.”

If you and your dog would like to join Poppy and Yvonne at St Clare’s Winter Walkies event at 11am on Sunday 26th February then register online at www.stclarehospice.org.uk/event/winter-walkies or call the fundraising team on 01279 773750.

Advanced registration costs £10 for adults and £5 for children, which includes a free soup, dog medal and certificates for children. The event is taking place at St Clare Hospice, Hastingwood Road, Hastingwood, Essex, CM17 9JX.