Bright Eyes sanctuary creates cosy space
POWER NI has donated £1,000 to Bright Eyes Animal Sanctuary which has been used to upgrade their cabin space for volunteers and staff thanks to Brighter Communities funding.
Bright Eyes, operating since 1989, provides a sanctuary for the care, protection, treatment and temporary or permanent accommodation of animals.
Their main purpose is to reduce in unnecessary suffering and distress of companion animals through the provision of a rescue and re-homing service, with Bright Eyes offering permanent shelter to any animal who cannot be rehomed.
In the past five years, Bright Eyes has rehomed over 1,000 cats and dogs from their centre in Ballinamallard.
Bright Eyes rely on the help from volunteers, who provide high quality care for the animals all year round and facilitate finding forever homes.
With the funding from Power NI, Bright Eyes has revamped their existing cabin to create a cosy space for their volunteers.
Victoria Ellingsen, manager of Bright Eyes says that the new cabin will make a real difference to the team.
“The funding has allowed us to make a real difference to the cabin. We’ve repainted, added new flooring, installed heating and given the bathroom a freshen up.
“This cabin space is really important for our volunteers, it gives them space to have a break and relax, as well as socialising with one another. It may also be really useful for the welfare of animals. Some animals we look after requiring round the clock care whilst we nurse them back to health, the new space will allow volunteers to stay through the night to keep the animal comfortable, and to keep an eye to administer any emergency treatment if it’s necessary.
“The space looks great, and we’re very thankful to Power NI for providing the funding to make this happen.”
Ashleigh O’neill from Power NI added: “We’re delighted to have played a part in creating such a necessary, and useful space for Bright Eyes.
“The sanctuary provides such an essential service in rehoming and caring for animals across Fermanagh, and Power NI is very proud to help improve the space for their dedicated volunteers. A huge congratulations from Power NI!”
NFU Mutual Agents and their staff at the local Enniskillen agency recently nominated local charity Aisling Centre, to receive a donation of £3,198.50 from NFU Mutual’s national £1.92million ‘Agency Giving Fund’.
The Agency Giving Fund forms part of NFU Mutual’s £3.25m funding pledge for both local and national charities in 2022, to help tackle the ongoing effects of the pandemic and assist with recovery.
To ensure these donations reach all corners of the UK and are directed where they’re needed most, NFU Mutual’s Agents, with over 295 offices nationwide, have been given the opportunity to nominate local charities to receive a share of the fund.
Paddy Keaney, Enniskillen Agent, said: “NFU Mutual has been a champion of rural communities the length and breadth of the UK for over 110 years, and the Agency Giving Fund champions local causes that are working day and night to change people’s lives and give hope for a better future. We’re extremely proud to have nominated The Aisling Centre for this donation and are delighted to be able to support the vital contribution they make to our community.”
Bridie Sweeney, Service Director, Aisling Centre said “We are enormously thankful to Paddy Keaney, Margaret
Maguire and the team at the Enniskillen agency of NFU Mutual for nominating Aisling Centre to receive a donation from the Agency Giving Fund. The money has gone a long way to helping us provide counselling service”.
She went on to say “support like this is invaluable in this time of growing demand for services”.
Aisling Centre is a mental health charity who support individual and community resilience through a range of professional well-being services.
For further information on services available at Aisling Centre can be found on their website www.theaislingcentre.com