Beloved Bridlington surfing dog Hattie faces sight loss battle as community rallies to help
A four-legged holidaymaker who stole the hearts of Bridlington beachgoers by riding the waves on a surfboard has inspired an outpouring of community support, with nearly £9,000 raised to save her sight.
Twelve-year-old cocker spaniel Hattie, who travels from Manchester to holiday twice a year at South Shore Holiday Park in Wilsthorpe, has become a cherished fixture along the East Yorkshire coastline. From cruising aboard the Yorkshire Belle and riding the land train to Sewerby Hall, to greeting the morning beach-cleaning tractor driver and popping into Richie’s Cafe on the promenade, the adventurous pooch is practically a local celebrity.
Now, the coastal community she loves is rallying behind her to help fund much-needed and complex surgery.
Hattie s losing her sight as a result of diabetes and now needs ongoing medication, specialist veterinary treatment and consultations with an eye specialist. She has also been experiencing problems with two lumps which need removing after repeatedly catching and bleeding.
Devoted owner Andrew Bacon, who lives near Manchester, has made significant changes to his own life to ensure Hattie receives the care she needs. He took early retirement so he could look after her full-time, not wanting to leave her home alone because of the risk of a sudden diabetic episode.
To ensure she never missed out on coastal strolls along Limekiln Lane and Sewerby Cliffs, Andrew invested in a specially adapted dog pram.
To support them with climbing veterinary bills, close family friend Lisa Anne Davis—proprietor of Sunflower Lodge at Primrose Valley—spearheaded a relentless fundraising campaign. Through a GoFundMe appeal and 14 separate and still ongoing raffles, supporters have now pushed the running total to £8,889.
The initial milestone covered specialist consultations, an intensive regime of four daily eye drops, and secured £6,100 for bilateral eye surgery, which consultants confirm could restore her vision. However, with follow-up appointments costing £80 a time even after owner discounts, the push to safeguard Hattie’s future continues.
Businesses and generous holidaymakers have rallied to bolster the prize draws. Current prizes include a two-night stay at Lyndale Apartments in Windermere, a three-night getaway at Sunflower Lodge, bottles of spirits, custom Hattie cushions, and a newly donated weekend break for up to four people at ‘The Surf Shack’ chalet on South Shore at Wilsthorpe.
Raffle tickets for the Windermere and Surf Shack getaways are £5 for a strip of five, available directly by emailing [email protected], while donations to Hattie’s ongoing medical fund can be made via her official GoFundMe page. Visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/to-help-hattie-with-her-eye-consultation?cp_src=d for more information or to donate.