| Charity worker and owner of the only living PDSA Dickin Medal recipient is appealing to animal lovers to support her forthcomig London Marathon challenge. Lou Hackney (49) is taking on the gruelling 26.2 mile course for the second time in aid of leading vet charity, PDSA, which cares for more than 470,000 pets across the UK every year. Lou has worked as a Veterinary Support Manager at the charity since 2016. Lou is also running to honour her incredibly special dog, Mali, who came to live with her and husband, Andy, fifteen months ago. Retired British Military Working Dog (MWD), Mali – the only living PDSA Dickin recipient – received his prestigious award after he helped save the lives of troops in Afghanistan. The nine-year-old Belgian Malinois was part of a unit deployed to Afghanistan in 2012. During his tenure, he assisted in a highly sensitive operation to secure an enemy stronghold, and on two separate occasions was sent through direct fire to search for explosives. He also indicated the presence of insurgents numerous times. Talking about Mali, Lou said: “He joined our family shortly after I lost my mum to cancer and was just the distraction I needed after experiencing such loss. He filled a massive gap in our lives and it’s like we’ve had him for ever. I can’t imagine our home without him now. “We feel proud and extremely lucky to have him. When he’s lying on his back stretching with his legs in the air I look at him and think what an extraordinary, brave, beautiful dog you are and we will do all we can to keep him happy and healthy in the years he has left.” Lou is running for the thousands of pets, who like Mali, play an invaluable role in filling lives with joy, love and companionship. She adds: “As well as looking after Mali I work in the veterinary support team at PDSA’s Head Office in Telford. I see day-in, day-out the life-saving work that takes place at our Pet Hospitals across the UK and I want to help raise vital funds for this fantastic charity.” To get her across the finish line in three weeks’ time, Lou is busy working through a gruelling training programme, which she does with the support of her personal-trainer husband, Andy. She is hoping to raise £1,900 for PDSA as part of her marathon mission and will be holding a secret auction along with a finishing-time sweep-stake, to raise the vital funds. Amy Wareing-Reid, Fundraising Manager at PDSA, said: “Lou’s marathon effort means many pets will receive the vital, life-saving vet treatment they need and we’re so proud that she’s taken on such gruelling training on top of her busy life. We’ll be cheering Lou and the rest of Team PDSA’s runners along the course and I hope local animal lovers will support her too.” Between now and marathon day – on 28 April – Lou is training hard, out in all weathers alongside Mali, pounding the streets of Ludlow to ensure she gets through those 26 miles next month. You can support Lou’s mission to help save more pets by visiting her fundraising page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/louise-hackney Follow the story at @PDSA_HQ and @PDSAPressOffice At PDSA we believe that every pet deserves a happy and healthy life. As the UK’s leading veterinary charity, we strive to improve pets’ lives through preventive care, education and treatment. PDSA has been saving pets and changing lives since 1917. In that time we have helped more than 20 million pets, providing 100 million treatments. We also run the world’s foremost animal awards programme. For media enquiries contact the Press Office on 01952 797234, email pr@pdsa.org.uk, or visit www.pdsa.org.uk/press-office. |
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