A MUSSELBURGH woman has launched a crowdfunding appeal to install a memorial bench and plaque in a public park in memory of a well-known dog owner who recently passed away.

Helen Hamilton used to meet Andrew (Andy) Glanville when they both regularly walked their dogs in the town’s Lewisvale Park.

Helen’s Labrador/collie/whippet cross Millie became great pals with Andy’s Akita Akira, who is popular in the local community.

When Andy, 61, of King Street, Musselburgh, passed away suddenly at the end of last month, Helen made a social media plea to find nine-year-old Akira a new home.

Her efforts bore fruit and the beloved pet is now settling into a new life with a family in Musselburgh, having initially been taken to the Lothian Dogs Home.

Her new owner, who declined to be named, said Akira was “doing well” but had been “crying” and felt that, when the door opened, the dog still expected to see Andy come in.

Helen contacted East Lothian Council to see if it would be possible to site a memorial bench and plaque in Andy’s memory in the park where he and Akira had their “best times together”.

She was told that a planning application would be needed – at a fee of £202 – as the park was an allocated Local Garden and Designed Landscape and within the local conservation area.

Helen said: “Andy was a lovely man who walked his dog every day in Lewisvale Park and everyone knew him. He always stopped for a chat, never passed you by.”

She added that Andy’s family, who are originally from Edinburgh, were “overwhelmed” at how much he meant to people.

She said: “I can’t thank the people of Musselburgh enough for all their love and support for Akira. She is an amazing dog.”

Andy’s younger brother David, who lives in Craigentinny, said their brother Jimmy was a Musselburgh resident and their mum Rhoda lived in Portobello.

Andy had spent five or six years on the Greek island of Crete, where he built his own home.

David explained that when the financial crash came, Andy returned home, staying in Bournemouth for two years before moving to Dunfermline in 2011 and then Musselburgh.

He did gardening work in Lewisvale Park and was also fond of fishing.

David said that on September 30, loyal Akira alerted neighbours with her barking and the police found Andy, who had passed away.

“[The neighbours] never heard her except if something was put through the letterbox,” he said.

He praised the local community for its “unbelievable” efforts to find Akira a new home and Helen’s kind gesture of planning a memorial bench.

Andy, who was an uncle, is also survived by his other brother Phil. He was predeceased by his father Gerry.

Andy’s funeral will be held next Thursday (October 28) at Seafield Crematorium, to which all are invited and asked to wear bright colours.

David asked that, instead of flowers, people give a donation to the appeal for the memorial bench and plaque.

To donate to Helen’s JustGiving page, which is hoping to raise £2,000, go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helen-hamilton-3

The memorial bench plan has received strong support on social media.

One post said: “I would love this to get the go-ahead and don’t see why not. Spent many a time chatting to Andy while Akira would check my pockets out for treats. She would also try her best to chase and try to catch my dog. Hoping to bump into Akira and her new owner in Lewisvale soon. I’ll donate to this if given the go-ahead.”

Another read: “Wonderful idea. Would happily donate.”

“Great idea. Andy did a lot of unpaid work in the park as well,” said another post.

One supporter added: “Lovely idea. My wife and I often chatted to Andy when out with daughter’s dog. So sad to hear about Andy. Akira was lovely and would follow us for a wee treat. You can count us in when funding for bench starts.”