Real-life reads
Craft is a hugely enjoyable hobby for many of us, but these three women take it further, using their creative skills to help people in very special ways
After tragedy struck, Tracy Jones, 59, from Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, knew she had to find a way to carry on.
Five years ago, my life was turned upside down. My husband David and I had gone on a boating holiday from Devon to France to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We were having such a lovely time, but had only been aboard for two days when David suffered a massive heart attack. An RNLI boat rushed to the vessel but there was nothing anyone could do. David died on the boat just 10 days before our actual anniversary day. He was only 56 and we’d been together since I was 17. I just didn’t know how I’d carry on without him.
Back home, I tried to pick up the pieces of my life with my daughter Jess, now 28, but David’s death had taught me there were no guarantees in life. He had been fit and healthy and had always worked hard in his council job. I realised how little time he’d had to enjoy life outside work and it made me think about my own situation. I worked full-time as a university academic, and thought that perhaps I should start making the most of the time I had left, however long that might be, so I handed in my notice.
GIVING BACK
I’d always loved craft and, after joining a local group, found comfort in our weekly get-togethers, where we had a go at different projects. I also knew I wanted to give back and, having always had a special place in my heart for guide dogs, I decided to volunteer for Guide Dogs UK. I started as a puppy raiser, which meant taking in a labrador-retriever cross puppy from two months old until 14 months to help it socialise before starting formal training.
It was so rewarding, and going to puppy groups meant I made new friends, too. My puppy, Zooby, was also great company, and I’m so proud to know that he’s now a fully trained working guide dog. It was sad to say goodbye, of course, but it’s so lovely to know he is making such a difference to someone’s life.
After Zooby, I took in a guide-dog mum, Poppy. My job was to look after her and help deliver her puppies, all of which would then become guide dogs. It was so amazing to see the new little dogs, which will go on to change lives, come into the world. Poppy is now four-and-a-half and has had 18 pups in total so far. My house is in chaos each time, overrun with playful little animals. I literally can’t leave the hous
