The Yours effect
We herald an incredible year in which your goodwill and generosity has changed so many lives. It’s time to blow the trumpets on your behalf…
We’ve always known that Yours has a community of the kindest readers around – and this year you’ve truly gone above and beyond in showing that to be the case. In 2019 we featured many stories of individuals, charities and causes that needed help and every time you’ve rallied round, from writing lovely letters of support and encouragement to giving money. Every single donation – whether large or small – has made an enormous difference. You’ve also supported other readers with friendship, giving items requested in our Do You Have? column and inspired one another with exciting challenges. We hope you enjoy reading this end-of-year round-up of how your giving has changed lives – and we send you all a great big thank you from the Yours team!
Animal magic
You’ve always been eager to help support our four-legged friends, but this year your response to our animal stories has been staggering.
Moo Haven, the sanctuary for neglected and poorly horses we featured in September (issue 333) were astonished by the life-changing donations you sent in, totalling a whopping £6,202.50. As a result of your kindness, manager Linda Hughes was able to pay for a much-needed operation on their newest arrival Womble (pictured left) that she would have otherwise struggled to afford. Womble now has a new lease of life and will shortly start work helping autistic children who visit the sanctuary.
Meanwhile, overseas, TOLFA, the charity helping animals in the most impoverished parts of India, received an amazing £4,026 in donations. Arriving at a time when their animal hospital was struggling to cope after monsoon floods, your money helped them get back on their feet. Everyone at the charity was so touched by your kindness.
And in July when we told you about
Barking Mad that helps Romanian dogs, once again you stepped up to help, giving £2,400 in donations.
But it’s not just money you give. When the charity Nowzad (issue 330), which reunites soldiers with the animals they befriended in service, said they were looking for donations of bras that they could send to a textiles company in return for money, you sent in hundreds of them – 20 full bin bags in fact! And it’s because of your support that they’ve been able to pay for the care of dog Dusty (above) who is about to be adopted by a UK soldier.