A Manchester City-mad mum whose life-saving dog ensures she can continue to attend her beloved Sky Blues’ games has been honoured.
Lynn Ratcliffe’s epilepsy seizure alert dog Barnby gives her a 100-per cent accurate 29-minute alert to every oncoming seizure. She needn’t worry about missing matches as the adorable three-year-old yellow Lab’s warning gives her enough time to get to a place of safety and privacy, such as the Etihad’s first aid room, ahead of her seizure and to take control.
Never one to say “no” to any requests from the national Support Dogs charity, which provided and trained Barnby for Lynn, of Cheadle, her efforts to help the good cause were recognised as she was presented with an Outstanding Contribution award at the charity’s annual Graduation and Awards ceremony, held in Sheffield last week.
Accepting the accolade, the 66-year-old joked: “I don’t like blushing, because it makes me go red, and red is not my favourite colour.” She added: “When you’ve had an amazing connection to a wonderful charity for as long as I have, and experienced the gift of being able to live independently and safely, you can’t say no – you have to help.
Photo by: S L Photo and Film
“Everybody in the charity deserves all our thanks because they are wonderful people and they care about our dogs and they care about us. “Sometimes I get good things to do – like go to Manchester City and be on Granada Reports, so that’s just fun for me. I don’t class it as hard work or doing anything special, it’s just going home. I just love City.”
Lynn has been a client on Support Dogs’ epilepsy seizure alert programme for 17 years, having been diagnosed with epilepsy in 1998 after suffering a head injury at a funfair.
Barnby, and his two predecessor dogs, Simba and Dougal, have been by her side 24/7 to ensure she can do things most people take for granted, like crossing the road, making a cup of tea or having a bath without the fear of a seizure potentially endangering her life.
Lynn was rewarded for being a steadfast volunteer over the years, demonstrating unwavering dedication to Support Dogs.
Her commitment is truly remarkable – she even gave up alcohol for the good cause at one point. She consistently attends events, supporting fundraising efforts, speaking to community groups, participating in staff workshops, and representing the charity at corporate events and in media opportunities.
“No request is ever too much for Lynn – she always responds with enthusiasm and generosity,” said charity chief executive Rita Howson. “What makes Lynn’s contribution even more extraordinary is her willingness to travel long distances via public transport, often at her own expense, simply to ensure she never lets the charity down. “Her reliability, warmth, and passion make her an invaluable ambassador for Support Dogs.”
Support Dogs is the only organisation in the UK that trains and provides seizure alert dogs for people with epilepsy.
To find out more, please visit www.supportdogs.org.uk or call 0114 2617800.
