Me And My Best Friend

Teenage cancer patient Lauren Ashby on going to Crufts with her life-changing cockapoo, percy.

- Caren Clark

NEW PETS

Crufts

WED- FRI / C4, MORE4 / TIMES VARY

When 14-yearold Lauren Ashby learned that her cancer had returned, she only had one question: could she still go to Crufts?

The teenager, who was initially diagnosed in January 2017 with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, has been crowned the Young Kennel Club’s Young Braveheart for her determination to carry on agility training with her 22-month-old cockapoo, Percy, during her gruelling treatment.

Now, Lauren’s a finalist for the Young Person of the Year Award. It’s voted for by the public and will be presented on 11 March at Crufts, the coverage of which begins on Thursday on C4 and More4.

Here, Lauren and her proud mum, Dominique, 43, who live in West Sussex, tell TV Times about her unique bond with Percy…

How excited are you about going to this year’s Crufts?