Sue Holderness joins Thames Hospice fundraiser on dog walking challenge

Yesterday (Tuesday 22 August 2023) Dennis Hammond, 61, accompanied by his beloved canine companions Frankie and Lennie, as well as 18 friends including actress Sue Holderness, embarked on a 5km walk around Bray Lake to support Thames Hospice who are currently providing him with invaluable support. With the community behind his fundraising efforts, Dennis has so far raised a fantastic £875 for the charity.

Dennis was referred to Thames Hospice after being diagnosed with stage four prostate metastatic terminal cancer. Dennis met with colleagues from the charity’s Hospice at Home Team, who talked Dennis through all the services available to him and helped with adaptations to his home. He has registered for Hospice Day Services and knows that, when the need arises, he can also access Inpatient Services, Physiotherapy and much more. He has also overcome his initial hospice hesitancy.

Dennis says: “I was scared to start with but once you get here it’s like a big family, everybody at Thames Hospice is so friendly and welcoming. I loved the Hospice when I first came here. My friend said it backed onto Bray Lake, but I didn’t think it would be so close. I walked in and said ‘WOW!’,

“Life without Thames Hospice would be horrible, because this is a safe haven, I know I can come here anytime and I can just call and speak to somebody.”

Through sharing his story and putting his ailing body to the test, Dennis hopes to raise awareness and much needed funds as well as bust some of the myths surrounding hospice care.

Dennis adds: “I think as many people should support Thames Hospice as possible, there is so much cancer out there at the moment, the Hospice needs your support badly, I am going to do as much as I can to support Thames Hospice and I am living with the disease. Come on guys, come and support us.

“I want to raise £1,000 but I would love to go over, the more the better.”

You can still support Dennis’ 5km dog walk around Bray Lake by donating here.