PICTURES: Tiny therapy pony and chihuahua head up charity walk for Wick care home residents and raise over £700
A model and riding stables owner from Lyth headed up a fundraising walk along with her therapy horse, Mr Bojangles, and pet chihuahua, Louis Vuitton.
Natalie Oag runs the Horsin’ Around stables and set off from John O’Groats back to her base in Lyth, walking a full 12 miles, to raise money for the Seaview Care Home in Wick.
Natalie said on the day of the walk (Sunday, June 8): “Louis Vuitton has raised thousands of pounds throughout the years, from climbing up Ben Nevis to raise £6000 in aid of Soi Dog charity to walking Snowdon.”
She added that the tiny dog “proudly walked beside his therapy buddy Mr Bojangles”, and raised over £700 in charity funds for the Wick care home.
“Mr Bojangles, the tiny therapy pony, did an amazing job for his first charity walk. He was accompanied by his fan club and supporters, including our special guest, who joined us for the walk, activities coordinator Carina McLauchlan, the guardian angel of the Seaview Care Home.
“Mr Bojangles and Louis Vuitton, both rescues themselves, loved doing something special for an amazing lady in the care home called Marna Stephen, who is very special to me and the closest person I have to a granny.
“I wanted to do something nice for Marna and her friends at the Seaview Care Home, so I thought that Mr Bojangles and Louis could do a charity walk. Every penny raised went straight to the Seaview residents’ fund, helping to support more fun-filled outings for the vibrant community there.”
Carina says that at Seaview, “life certainly doesn’t slow down”. The residents are no strangers to adventure, regularly seen out and about locally and beyond.

She added: “From cruising down Loch Ness with Jacobite Tours, visiting the local fire service or the RNLI. Enjoying the sweet smells and a tour at Reid’s Bakery or receiving warm hospitality and gin tasting at Rock Rose distillery in Dunnet.
“The activities are as varied as they are meaningful. Not to mention the weekly swimming where resident Bruce Player (99) has turned into quite the aqua king alongside his pal Peter Budge.
“At Seaview, the philosophy is simple but powerful; just because it’s another chapter in their lives doesn’t mean it has to be a quiet one. All activities are thoughtfully tailored to suit each resident’s abilities and preferences, ensuring life remains full of joy, discovery, and connection.”
Natalie said: “I’m so proud of Mr Bojangles and little Louis, they really were the superstars.
“Thank you to our support vehicle for keeping us all safe, and thank you to the fan club for supporting us on the long journey.”
Photographer Ray Hilton, who took some of the images reproduced here, said: “ The journey was adorable and Natalie was like Mary Poppins with all these children following and dancing behind her with the animals. It really was delightful to see.”
The day after the walk, Natalie said: “Mr Bojangles and Louis are running around today, and you would never believe they had done over 12 miles yesterday.”
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