A stunning hand crafted rocking horse born out of a rehabilitation and recovery from a brain haemorrhage has been put up for sale for Strathcarron Hospice. 

The oak, mahogany and pine wooden horse was carved by Ernest ‘Ernie’ Schofield as part of a focus for him following a serious brain haemorrhage 19 years ago which impacted on a variety of executive functions including his memory. Ernie, from Bridge of Allan set himself the ambitious challenge to create the rocking horse in dedication to his only child, daughter Sharon. 

His wife Brenda helped and supported Ernie through each stage of the craft process design and build with instructions as he struggled with processing information. 

As a result of Brenda’s stage 4 kidney disease , and the imminent need for home dialysis while the search for a kidney match continues , the couple have had to move to more suitable accommodation which will provide for the future needs and feel it is time to part with the unique piece to help fundraise for the Strathcarron Hospice. 

Brenda said: “It has been emotional for us to part with it, especially for Ernie, as it meant so much to him. It was a long project over four years and he gifted it to our daughter Sharon – she is everything to him - but it is time for the horse to move on to another home bringing joy. 

“Ernie had wood lying around in the shed and wanted to do this as a focus to help his rehabilitation. He got it into his head that he wants to make a rocking horse and that became a real motivation for him. 

“His memory wasn’t working well so I had to do a voice recording of instructions sent from plans and then he would play them on repeat again and again to help him know what he needed to do.  

“The horse has real horse hair and a leather saddle and it also contains a special time capsule in the tummy of the horse that contains photos of the family, coins and a miniature of whisky, front page from the daily newspaper and a letter from each of us.  This is so in years - or centuries - to come when it starts to fall to pieces someone will get a very unique surprise.  

“He had pottered about with wood before making planters etc but nothing of this scale. Although we have been together 50 years he never ceases to amaze me.” 

 

Brenda added: “I hope it raises a good amount of money for the hospice. We have donated to the hospice and supported Strathcarron in the past.  I have been grateful to survive a cancer diagnosis. My gran, my mum and my aunt all had cancer and you looked after my best friend’s mum when she was in her final days. End of life and palliative care is a subject very close to our hearts, and although the hope is that we are lucky enough to never need Strathcarron’s help direct as a family,  the  facilities and support which they provide is so important to many. We are happy to help in any way we can. Strathcarron is a charity really close to our hearts.”