The RSPCA’s Warrington, Halton & St Helens Branch is urging local people to come along and support its annual festive fundraiser – with all proceeds going towards helping the animals in its care.
This Saturday (14 December), the branch’s rehoming centre in Slutchers Lane in Warrington is holding its popular Christmas fair between 2pm and 5pm with a range of fun and festive activities for all ages.
Visitors will be able to enjoy gift stalls, face painting, table top games, a tombola, dog show, food van and seasonal refreshments, as well as appearances by Father Christmas, Warrington Wolves’ mascot Wolfie and a performance by the locally-based Urban School of Gymnastics. Entry is free.
The Warrington, Halton & St Helen’s Branch is a separate, self-funding charity to the national RSPCA and the majority of its day-to-day running costs come from donations and fundraising activities like the Christmas fair.
The centre specialises in the care and rehabilitation of severely abused and neglected cats and dogs that have been rescued by RSPCA officers.
It costs around £30,000 every month to run the shelter, which includes paying for veterinary bills and food for all the animals that need care. This includes aiding the medical and psychological needs of dogs like long-stay lurcher Alvin who was rescued by the charity from a property in the West Midlands back in May 2022 with untreated injuries caused by hunting.
The tan and white dog has been in the care of the branch ever since, but he was only able to be put up for adoption in February this year after his former owner was dealt with in court and signed him over for rehoming.
There are 12 dog kennels and 18 cat pens at the centre, as well as a number of isolation units which have helped provide a safe environment for over 200 animals this year, 90 percent of which have come in from RSPCA officers.
As well as the Christmas festivities, awards will also be presented to three people who collectively have dedicated over 100 years to helping the branch and the animals it looks after. They include volunteers Jacky Draycott (46 years) and Carolynne Maddock (36 years) and the branch’s vice chair of trustees Paul Draycott (32 years).
Animal Care Manager Katie Buckley said: “The Christmas fair is one of our most important events of the year, helping us to raise vital funds so that we can continue caring for abused and neglected animals and support them on their journey to finding a new home.
“We have fantastic supporters whose year-round donations, fundraising and volunteering make all the difference to us. People like Jacky, Paul and Carolynne who have devoted an extraordinary amount of years are an integral part of what we do, and we’d like to say a huge thank you to them and all the individuals, community groups and businesses for their continued support and generosity this year.”
