SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Appeal tops milestone figure

AN APPEAL to build a new dog re-homing centre at Ferne Animal Sanctuary has raised over £200,000 in less than a year.

Seven months after the launch of their New Digs for Dogs appeal to raise £500,000 towards their £1million project staff at the animal sanctuary near Chard are almost half way towards their target.

Ferne’s head of external funding, Jenny Wheadon, said: “We’ve just been given a couple of large donations, but we receive them from as little as £1 upwards.

“Whatever the amount, every penny counts and this is how we have now raised a staggering £209,113.62 – well on the way to our halfway mark.”

Recent fundraising successes include £501.97 from a dog show at The Mason’s Arms in Lower Odcombe, Yeovil, organised by Ferne volunteer Paula Tennyson. A collection by volunteers outside Tesco in Ilminster raised a further £456.01.

Jenny added: “We’ll also shortly have details of a parachute jump that will be taking place. And I’d like to mention that our Virtual Race ends on October 5 - www.justgiving.com/runforferne gives all the details.”

PHOTO - TOP: Ferne's head of external funding, Jenny Wheadon.

An army of volunteers are now needed for upcoming events for the appeal. These include bag packing at Tesco Seaton on Saturday, October 4, 2014; manning stalls at the Mole Avon Event in Axminster on Saturday, October 18, 2014; the Mayor’s Christmas Event at The Guildhall, Chard on Saturday, November 29, 2014, and finally, helping with a collection outside Tesco Seaton on Thursday, December 4, 2014.

Anyone who can help - even for a couple of hours - should call the Sanctuary on 01460-65214.

In addition, The Foresters Arms at East Coker is hosting a Pub Quiz on Tuesday, September 30, 2014, and a 60s Night is being held at Tatworth Memorial Hall on Saturday, November 8, 2014. Everyone is welcome.

“It’s heart-warming to know that so many people are supporting our appeal and raising money in so many different ways to help Ferne reach its target. To have achieved such a huge amount of money towards the new rehoming centre since March is just wonderful and I can’t thank everyone enough for their generosity”, said Jenny.

“But, we still have a way to go. So please do keep all those coffee mornings, garage sales and other events going.”

Ferne Animal Sanctuary launched their “New Digs for Dogs” £1m project for 2014/15 in March 2014 to build a new enhanced kennel block, improved grooming and veterinary care room, information hub, social unit, offices, reception and purpose built rehoming centre at their site in Somerset.

Fundraising packs for the appeal, details of all events and how to donate can be obtained by calling Ferne Animal Sanctuary on 01460-65214 or by visiting www.ferneanimalsanctuary.org.

Alternatively you can click on Ferne’s advert-logo on the right-hand side of this website.

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