Duckling rescue inspires community fundraiser
Wednesday 1 May 2024
A recent duckling rescue mission has inspired a community fundraiser for The Hope Animal Shelter in Loftus.
Emma Thompson, a dedicated animal lover and housing administrator here at Beyond Housing, recently spearheaded the successful fundraising effort after finding two orphaned ducklings in her horse’s stable.
Anxious to ensure their survival, but having no experience of raising ducklings, Emma reached out to colleagues for advice and was directed to The Hope Animal Shelter in nearby Loftus. The shelter, which is run by founder Cliff Spedding and a small band of willing volunteers, has been a sanctuary for abandoned and stray animals for nearly 40 years, but with no official funding, its operation relies solely on the benevolence of local residents and organisations.
Impressed by Cliff’s 40-year commitment to the helpless creatures in his care, Emma implored her Beyond Housing colleagues to help her find a way of helping him raise some desperately needed funds.
Responding to her call to action, we incorporated a fundraising session into the agenda of an upcoming corporate event, which raised £600 for the animal shelter.
Emma Thompson, Housing Administrator at Beyond Housing, said: “It was inspiring to visit the centre and see first-hand the huge task that Cliff is so dedicated to continuing.
“At Beyond Housing we are committed to providing a safe and secure ‘forever home’ to each of our customers and we are thankful for this opportunity to help Cliff do the same for the animals in his care.”
Cliff Spedding, Operator of The Hope Animal Shelter, said: “A big thank you to everyone at Beyond Housing. We’re always grateful for any support that helps us cope with the constant flow of animals that come to us. If anyone feels they can offer a loving home, or a donation, that would be very welcome. This £600 from Beyond Housing will probably be put towards treatment for an unwanted Christmas puppy, a five-month-old German Shepherd we’ve named Holly, which needs x-rays and surgery for a serious hip problem.”
