Hospice launches Pet Festive competition

St Barnabas House is helping to spread some well-needed festive cheer with the launch of its ‘Pet Festive’ photography competition.

Pet owners across West Sussex are being invited to send in photos of their trusty lockdown companions getting into the festive spirit, with the winner receiving a portrait of their pet, worth £250, by local artist Sara Abbott.

Wendy Bardsley, Head of Fundraising at St Barnabas House, says, “You can pose your pet, dress them up, dress them down, or just as they are. However you decide to get involved, Pet Festive is the purrrfect way to raise money for your local hospice whilst celebrating our pets who have been there for us during this challenging time, offering unconditional love, loyalty, and laughter.”

The photos will be judged by patients at the hospice, where pets are welcome and are often seen sharing precious moments with their owners during their stay.

Local chef and MasterChef Champion, Kenny Tutt, has already got involved, submitting a festive photo of his dachshund, Ralph. “Last year was our first Christmas with Ralph as we brought him home as a puppy mid-December,” says Kenny. “He may be small but he’s a big part of our family and the girls love him! St Barnabas is so important to our local community and I like to help them whenever I can. Getting involved with ‘Pet Festive’ is a really fun and easy way to support this great cause, and the suggested donation of £5 will contribute towards a freshly cooked Christmas dinner for a patient staying at the hospice.”

The last time the competition ran in 2018, patients from the St Barnabas Day Hospice selected Bazil the horse as their worthy winner.

Bazil’s owner, Natasha Cockell from Lancing, says: “I took part in the Pet Festive competition as I always dress my horse up every year to cheer up my son, Atlas, who is five years old. He loves it! Bazil is a good sport and is happy to be festive as long as he gets plenty of carrots after! St Barnabas is such a great charity and my mum and I always support when we can.”

If your pet loves to pose in front of the camera, visit www.stbh.org.uk/pet-festive to register and submit your favourite festive photo. There is a suggested donation of £5 which will contribute towards a freshly cooked Christmas dinner for a patient staying at the hospice.