Leeds animal sanctuary Hope Pastures launches new virtual fundraising campaign

Hope Pastures Rescue Sanctuary in Weetwood rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes horses, ponies and donkeys from across the UK and has suffered financially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with restrictions causing all fundraising activities in 2020 to be cancelled.

As an organisation it receives no grant or state aid and relies solely on donations and support to save and look after the animals. In 2020, the spring and summer fairs which usually bring in the majority of income were abandoned, leaving the charity and the animals it cares for in a vulnerable position.

It is now asking people to ‘Do something quirky for Hope Pastures Big 30!’

Sanctuary manager, Leonnie Martin, said: “We have to do something. The number of animals in our care has grown significantly over the years and with the economy getting worse there are fears that this number could soar. We need funds more than ever, yet all our usual income has been stripped away.

“The virtual Hope Pastures Big 30 Challenge asks people to raise £30 by doing an activity based around the number 30, which is the number of on-site homes that Hope Pastures can offer to animals who’ve been abused and neglected.

Leonnie added: "The great thing about this challenge is it’s so adaptable. You could bake and sell 30 cupcakes, cycle 30 miles, go out for a run for 30 days, do 30,000 steps in a day – anything goes. Everybody can get involved and it’s such a good thing for people to do together, as a family, friendship group or within an organisation. Taking part as a team makes it even more fun and competitive.

“With so many mouths to feed, hooves to trim, teeth to have rasped, wormers to be given, bedding, hay and feed to buy, to name only a few aspects of care, we are now really starting to worry about the long term impact that our small charity may be facing. Money raised from this campaign will go a long way towards covering some of our basic costs.”

To sign up to The Hope Pastures Big 30 Challenge and find inspiration visit: hopepastures.org/Big-30-Challenge and share your progress using #HopePasturesBig30 on social media. All challenges are to be undertaken whilst abiding by current, local COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

You can also become a regular donor to Hope Pastures, adopt an animal or become a stable supporter – find out more ways to help via the website.

The campaign runs until February 2021 and the fundraising target is £1,800, which equates to 60 people raising £30 each.

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