September 5, 2019 3.29 pm This story is over 55 months old

Hospice grants dying woman’s last wish to see pets

The trip was on a Wednesday, and Alison died peacefully the following Sunday
She had a strong connection with her horse.

A hospice granted a dying Lincoln woman’s wish to pay one final emotional visit to her horse and dogs.

Alison Shipley passed away at the St Barnabas Inpatient Unit in July 2019 after she was diagnosed with terminal, advanced and aggressive ovarian cancer.

The nurses there got to know Alison and understood just how important her animals were to her, so arranged for one final visit.

She was very poorly at this stage but it was worth it when the dogs and horse were all so excited to see Alison.

The trip was on a Wednesday, and Alison died peacefully the following Sunday.

In her memory, a group of Lincoln ladies will take part in the moonlight walk in Stamford on Saturday, September 14.

Alison Shipley with her dogs.

The ladies, Claire Shephard, Viv Whitehead, Linda Beat, Sue Toon, Jo Ely, and Ellen Chapman, are hoping to raise over £1,500 for St Barnabas.

Claire said: “Alison was an amazing friend and auntie to my two boys. The nurses got to know her and understood how important her animals were to her.

“They arranged for Alison to see her horse and dogs one last time. At this stage, Alison was very poorly, but she was so strongly driven to see them.

“The trip really meant the world to Alison. It was emotional, but it gave her one last chance to cuddle and love her horse and dogs one last time.

“I’m hoping to bring Alison’s dog, Choco, with me to take part in the moonlight walk. It’s going to be an emotional night, but we will share memories of Alison as we walk the route.

“I’m sure she will be smiling down at us all.”

Anyone else who would like to sign up for the moonlight walk in Stamford has until Sunday, September 8 to sign up.

Tickets are £20 for adults and £10 for children over 11-years-old. Click or tap here to buy one.