A Lancashire animal charity has celebrated the grand opening of a new charity shop in Rawtenstall to help raise “vital funds” for its cause.
Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary officially opened its fourth charity shop in the area on Saturday morning, attended by the charity’s president, Bury-born actress Gemma Atkinson.
The new location, on Bank Street, will join its existing shops in Bury, Bacup and Ramsbottom with the aim of raising funds to support for the Edenfield charity, which was established in 1957.
Sanctuary manager, Karen Weed said the new shop will help to support their work while demand for its services rises, in part due to the cost of living crisis which she says has forced some pet owners to give up their animals.
She said: “We’re really pleased to open up our fourth charity shop in Rawtenstall.
“We’ve wanted to come to Rawtenstall for a long time and I’m hoping it raises vital funds for our animals because at the moment our costs are through the roof and our services are needed more than ever.
“The number of animals needing veterinary treatment means our veterinary bills have gone up to around 30,000 a month so hopefully this shop will help to raise lots of vital funds for them.”
The new shop was officially opened by Gemma, who has been the charity’s president since 2016.
She emphasised the need for continued support from the community, especially as many smaller charities and animal sanctuaries like Bleakholt are getting less support since the pandemic.
The Hits Radio DJ and former Hollyoaks actress said: “Without these shops, volunteers wouldn’t be able to do what they do at the sanctuary, we don’t get any funding at all, other than donations.
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“It's things like this that really do make a massive difference, there are so many people who want to get rid of stuff and if they can bring it to us, we can sell it and the money really will go to good use.
“It's an amazing charity, an amazing cause and I am so proud to be part of it.”
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