Save Energy UK is supporting an appeal for Nicky, a Dorset resident whose tireless work has touched the lives of countless people and animals across the county. Nicky is the founder of Dog Friendly Dorset and Merlin’s Pet Food Banks, initiatives that have helped families remain together with their pets during difficult times and ensured animals are cared for when circumstances become challenging.
In February 2025, after more than a year of persistent pain and repeated misdiagnoses, Nicky was diagnosed with stage three lung cancer. She is a non smoker and has a rare form of the disease, identified as NSCLC squamous with an EGFR exon 19 deletion mutation.
While the NHS is able to provide palliative care, certain first line treatments that could offer a potentially curative pathway are not available through the NHS due to current NICE guidelines and funding limitations. These treatments are accessible only through private oncology care, which places an immense financial burden on those who need it.
An appeal has therefore been launched to raise £80,000 pounds to fund the treatment plan and essential therapies required to support Nicky throughout the process.
This appeal holds particular significance for our team as Nicky is personally known to Harriet, a sales consultant at Save Energy UK. Harriet first met Nicky through her work encouraging Dorset businesses to become more dog friendly, a campaign that reflected Nicky’s belief in inclusion, kindness, and community responsibility.
Through shared experiences and work across Dorset, a strong friendship developed, founded on mutual respect and a shared commitment to helping others.
As Harriet explains, supporting this appeal was an instinctive decision.
Through Dog Friendly Dorset, Nicky has helped families keep dogs in their homes during times of financial hardship, worked with businesses to create welcoming spaces, and offered guidance and reassurance to pet owners across the county. Merlin’s Pet Food Banks has provided vital assistance to those facing difficult choices, ensuring pets are not left hungry when household budgets are stretched.
Nicky’s work has had a tangible and lasting impact, strengthening community ties and offering dignity and compassion to those in need. She and her dog Merlin have also appeared on BBC News, raising awareness of rare lung cancers that affect non smokers and highlighting the realities faced by individuals whose treatment options are limited.
As of the 26th of January 2026, the appeal had raised £38,890, representing 47% of the total target. This level of support reflects the esteem in which Nicky is held and the generosity of the Dorset community, yet there remains a significant distance to go.
All donations are being managed by Dog Friendly Dorset and will go directly towards private oncology treatment and essential therapies needed to maintain stability throughout the three stage treatment plan.
If you would like to donate, further information can be found via the links below. These include the Bournemouth Echo coverage of the appeal, as well as Nicky’s personal fundraising page, where donations can be made directly and support for this cause can be offered. Any contribution, whether through giving, sharing, or raising awareness, will help bring the appeal closer to its goal and provide meaningful support at a time when it is truly needed.
https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/25809575.save-energy-uk-supporting-appeal-dorset-welfare-advocate/