Animal charity’s event victim of weather

A north-east animal charity has issued an urgent appeal for funds after being forced to cancel a memorial event today.

Willows Animal Sanctuary, near Fraserburgh, looks after more than 400 animals, including horses, donkeys, cats and rabbits.

But officials have admitted they are struggling to raise £60,000 to help the often distressed and vulnerable creatures in their care.

And they have been blighted by bad weather, which forced the postponement of today’s inaugural event.

Administrator Kate Robinson said: “We are sad that we won’t be able to hold our Memorial Day because of all the ice and impacted snow.

“It’s almost impossible for cars to park and walking

“Really urgent that we get more donations this month”

around the sanctuary is extremely hazardous.

“Despite all the amazing donations which we have had, our winter feed appeal fund is way off target at £7,774, so we have still quite a way to go before we reach our much-needed target of £60,000.

“It is a real blow that we have been forced to cancel our fundraiser because of the awful weather.

“It is really urgent that we get some more donations this month in particular, because it has been more expensive than ever with hay and straw usage going through the roof with all this terrible weather.

“We have many elderly and infirm animals that we carefully manage the health and diets of so that they can get the best out of life.

“We always do our best to help an animal in distress or an owner that can no longer cope and we have done so many times.”