Inverurie guides shoot up funds

4th April 2007

A kind heart girl guide from Inverurie, Aberdeenshire has raised £115.00 to help boost funds for the animal centre. Chantelle Jamieson had to do help out a charity of her choice and fundraise in order to complete the Baden Powel challenge.

Chantelle attempted to through basketballs through a hoop to see how many she could successfully score within a certain time. All who sponsored Chantelle gave a donation for every basket ball which went through the hoop.

This splendid idea is a great way of showing how fundraising can be fun, enjoyable and entertaining. Chantelle's donation is greatly appreciated and will go towards helping the animals at the centre.

Birthday girl's surprise

15th February 2007

An animal-lover stepped out in style at her 50th birthday bash and raised £700 for a rescue centre.

Jayne Rawlison of Ashgate, Chesterfield, secretly learned the Argentine tango and gave a surprise performance with her tutor Igor Strukov at her party.

She asked for donations to the RSPCA in appreciation of the dance on the night and presented the money to staff at the centre on Spital Lane, Chesterfield.

An injury to her pelvis two years ago left Jayne unable to stand on one leg, but she battled back to fitness and wowed her friends and family with a three-and-a-half minute routine of lifts, drops and spins.

She said: "It was like Strictly Come Dancing - I was wearing a short red mini dress and red shoes. It was brilliant - everyone went wild!

"I'd been in training for six months but nobody new, not even my husband. I wanted to do the Argentine tango because it's really difficult dance and I wanted to challenge myself.

"I'm passionate about animals and have supported the RSPCA for the last ten years. I thought this would be a novel way of raising money for them."

• Dancing for joy: Jayne Rawlinson hands over £700 raised at her birthday party to Gary Taylor, animal welfare supervisor at Chesterfield RSPCA centre

VIP visitor for local animal centre

7th February 2007

VIP visitor Kathy Marr meets another VIP - a very important pooch - at the local RSPCA rescue centre. Dronfield's Mayor was at the kennels to see the good work being done by the RSPCA - one of her chosen charities during her year in office.

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I am thoroughly enjoying my second term as Dronfield Mayor but have a very good reason for looking forward to the end of my year of office.

I simply can't wait to hand out the proceeds of my charity appeal to local good causes, especially my "pet" charity, the local branch of the RSPCA.

Money has been raised through a variety of events including shows, a pamper evening, a night of clairvoyance and numerous coffee mornings and table top sales.

Dronfield people have, as have come to expect, been very generous indeed with both their time and their money.

I recently visited the RSPCA animal centre at Spital in Chesterfield to learn how they intend to spend their portion of the money being raised. Centre manager Richard Woodwards was thrilled to hear about the response to my appeal and he told me that such kind gestures are the reason why their RSPCA branch continues to operate.

The Chesterfield centre is completely self-funding and costs about £650 per day to run. But it can not budget simply to stand still as improvements are always required to buildings and the service provided. Plans are currently being finalised to rebuild the dog accommodation and it is hoped this will be completed within the next 18 months.

Most people know that I am an animal lover and I have long been aware that the Chesterfield RSPCA centre has a wonderful reputation for taking in lost or neglected pets, seeing to their welfare and attempting to find them caring new owners. I am delighted that we in Dronfield are doing our bit to help Richard and his colleagues.

Fifty percent of money raised through my 2006/07 appeal is to be donated to our local RSPCA centre but many other good causes will benefit too as the remaining funds will be divided between other charities and voluntary groups which serve the Dronfield area.

Thank you once again to everyone who has supported this appeal and if you wish to make a donation you can take it along to the town council office in the civic centre.

Coun Kathy Marr, Dronfield Town Mayor.

• Cllr Marr is pictured with animal care assistant Elaine McBurney and centre manager Richard Woodwards

Winter warmers

1st February 2007

Dogs at an animal rescue centre are being kept warm and toasty in the winter weather thanks to a donation of coats from a pet shop.

Bradway Pet Shop in Dronfield 18 fleece-lined waterproof jackets - worth a total of £300 - to the RSPCA on Spital Lane.

Pet shop owner Rachael James Said: "I had some extra stock and thought it would be nice - given the cold and wet weather we've had recently - to give them to the RSPCA."

Richard Woodwards of Chesterfield RSPCA said: "We've been screaming out for dog coats for a few weeks because we've got a lot of short-haired breeds at the moment and the weather has been so cold.

"The dogs have been wearing them when they go outside in the exercise pens and for walks. They've definitely been more active because they're warm. They also look cuter in the coats, so we're hoping people might be more inclined to adopt them."

Local cubs help a hungry pack

20th January 2007

We would like to say a big thank you to the 3rd Holmesfield Cub Pack for their generosity and donation of money and animal food. Your support is greatly appreciated and we are glad you enjoyed the tour of the animal centre.