Pets’ Corner cash gifted to charities

Apr 10 2009 by Edwin Lawrence

FRIENDS of Pets’ Corner met this week to decide what to do with the cash raised during their campaign.

The friends have returned major grants to donors – £10,000 to Kevin Finnie of the Balgarth Hotel, and £3000 to the Talteg charitable trust.

The remainder of the cash is being gifted to good causes, with the friends making a £6000 donation to Woodside on Arran, who have taken 80 per cent of the former Belleisle pets.

And £2000 is going to the respected Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Trust near Beith.

Other donations being made are: £500 to the Mossburn Animal Sanctuary at Lockerbie; £250 to the SSPCA’s Ayr animal welfare centre at Mainholm; and £250 to the Scottish Borders Donkey Sanctuary.

Friends’ spokesman Henry Pimentel said: “We are holding on to a residual amount of cash in case of any unforeseen expenses.

“But this will also be given to animal welfare charities in due course.”

Mr Pimentel added: “We as a group want to stay together to continue raising funds for deserving animal welfare causes.

“We believe we proved to be extremely successful, even although South Ayrshire Council turned down our bid to run Pets’ Corner.

“We are also considering getting involved in a People’s Council project, because of the treatment we received by South Ayrshire Council over Pets’ Corner.

“Our grateful thanks go to everyone who supported our campaign in any way.”