Jennifer Hogg Memorial Sponsorship
25th November 2019

Ian Clapperton the Chairman of Selkirk Colonial Society, Lachie (the horse), Sam Anderson of Stable Life, Isobel Oliver and Margaret McDonald.
The family of the late Jennifer O’Flaherty (Hogg) and Selkirk Colonial Society wish to announce the launch of the Jennifer Hogg Memorial Sponsorship.
Jennifer Hogg was born in Selkirk in 1950 but lived in Australia after her marriage to Pat O’Flaherty. She never forgot her roots and was a staunch member and supporter of Selkirk Colonial Society. Jennifer was a regular attender at the Society functions in Common Riding week. Her father, Bill, was Society Standard Bearer in 1933 (representing Australia) and Chairman from 1959-1982.
Jennifer is survived by her husband Pat and their three children in Australia and her two sisters Isobel (Oliver) and Margaret (McDonald) in Selkirk, all of whom have been involved in decisions regarding the Memorial Sponsorship.
The sponsorship will provide for an annual donation of $1000 (Australian) to Stable Life, based at Ashkirk, which will provide support to a young person who is experiencing personal challenges in their life.
Since 2008 Stable Life has supported disadvantaged young people and their families by working together using the horse and its environment to help young people discover a sense of self, learn transferable life skills and look to a healthier and happier future with empowered choice, aspiration and dreams.
Their day by day operational purpose is to improve the health and well-being of these young people through 1:1 or group sessions and offer safe and confidential environments to: enable the young people to discuss their current situation and develop positive coping strategies; support young people with social, emotional or behavioural issues to continue in mainstream education, and learn life skills; reduce the need for intervention through the Children's Hearing System and bring multiple benefits to children, young people, their families and communities.
Co-incidentally both Jennifer and Isobel, as youngsters, received riding lessons from Miss McGowan, who was well known for her support of children with special needs. This sponsorship of Stable Life is one which brings back memories to the family and is very much in line with what Jennifer wanted.