AN ANIMAL sanctuary is desperately seeking funds after extremes of weather this year left food shortages.
The Farm Animal Rescue Sanctuary (FARS) in Wolverton is home to some 500 rescued animals from sheep and pigs to turkeys and goats. It was founded 30 years ago by former veterinary assistant Carole Webb.
And now the 76-year-old and her team of volunteers are appealing to the public for much-needed funds to keep the sanctuary running.
Scorching weather over the summer meant they had to use their hay stock, leaving them in short supply this winter.
And to make matters worse, recent wet weather has left fields boggy and with little grass for the animals to eat.
Hay bales cost just over £40 and the sanctuary uses around 15 a week, along with straw and bags of food for the pigs.
A video of Carole’s heartfelt plea to the public has been posted on YouTube.
The founder says: “It means everything, it’s my life. I don’t go anywhere, on holiday or have days out because the sanctuary is always on my mind.
“We have around 450 sheep, six pigs, two goats turkeys, chickens and feral cats. It’s hard to find people who are committed to the animals and moneywise it’s a real struggle.”
Carole originally set up the charity in Cambridge. She heard about a newborn lamb not expected to live and convinced the farmer to let her take him. She instantly fell in love with ‘Larry’ and nursed him back to health. Her woolly family soon grew and she eventually set up FARS which relies entirely on donations to meet its yearly £80,000 running costs.
Search Benjamin Hewitt on www.justgiving.com to donate.
* The charity also takes food waste donations for animal feed and to help divert leftovers from landfill.
The team is encouraging people to ask their local stores and supermarkets to donate waste produce to the sanctuary.
Email [email protected] to get involved.
