Sister’s 500-mile dog-walking challenge raises £4000 in memory of Marelle
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Wick woman Sarah Sturrock has raised thousands of pounds for a dog welfare charity in memory of her younger sister Marelle, a year after her tragic death.
Sarah walked 500 miles in 34 days in a North Coast 500 Virtual Challenge. She was accompanied by her own two black Labradors, Goose and Bullet – and, on most outings, by Marelle’s dog Sam.
Donations on Sarah’s online fundraising page have reached just over £4000 in aid of Labrador Retriever Rescue Scotland.
Marelle was 29 weeks pregnant when she was killed at her home in Glasgow on April 25, 2023. Twelve months on, Sarah (38) was determined to pay tribute to Marelle and her unborn baby Jayden.
“I just wanted to try and do something positive after such a negative year,” Sarah said.
“She loved her dog, so Labrador Retriever Rescue Scotland meant something to her.
“I just didn’t want to let the year pass and not do anything in her memory.”
Caring duties for Sam, a fox red Labrador, are now shared by older sister Clare and Sarah.
Sarah, who works as a vet surgery receptionist, chose a range of locations around Caithness for her walks.
“There were just a mixture of random walks,” she explained. “I got dropped off in Watten one day and walked in via Sibster – that was 10 miles to my door.
“Then just around the town, Reiss beach, Loch More and up Halkirk way... I tried to hit the 10-mile every day, but some days I did 20 miles to make up for days I couldn’t do as many miles with working
“There were a few blisters along the way, but the dogs were happy and that was the main thing.”
Sarah has far exceeded the £2500 target she set on her JustGiving page.
“There’s still more to come but I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who sponsored me. It means so much and I’ve completed it now,” she said.
A celebration of life was held in Wick last June at which Marelle, who was 35, was remembered as a “bubbly, vibrant and fun-loving woman” with a love of singing and performing.
The head of the Glasgow primary school where Marelle was a member of staff said it had been a privilege to watch her develop into “an inspirational, creative and nurturing teacher”.
Carolyne Poulton BEM, head of Labrador Retriever Rescue Scotland, said: “Huge thanks to Sarah for raising this tremendous amount of money for Labrador Retriever Rescue Scotland. It’s a massive help, especially at the moment when pennies are tight.
“The money Sarah has raised will be used for kennelling fees, behaviourist fees and the weekly veterinary bills we have for long-term foster Labradors in our care all over Scotland.
“These are Labradors with health issues whom we cannot rehome. We take care of all their veterinary needs and they stay with their long-term fosterer for the remainder of their life.
“Thanks also to everyone who generously sponsored Sarah. Marelle was such a lovely girl and her heart was very close to Labrador Retriever Rescue Scotland.
“This is a wonderful gesture in Marelle’s memory which she would thoroughly have approved of. Words can’t really express how grateful we are to Sarah, Bullet, Goose and Sam.”
