Animal charity CEO sleeping rough to raise vital funds
Kevan Hodges from Ferne Animal Sanctuary is sleeping outside the charity's shops to raise awareness about what they do
The Chief Executive Officer for a South West animal charity, based in Somerset, is sleeping rough for a week - in a bid to raise awareness about what they do, and to raise vital funds to keep them running.
From yesterday (19 June) to next Tuesday night, Kevan Hodges will be sleeping near the charity's stores for seven consecutive nights, in each town where Ferne Animal Sanctuary shops are located - including Chard, Crewkerne, Honiton, Ilminster, Sidmouth, Wellington and Dorchester, to help raise life-changing donations.
It's not the first time that their CEO has done something like this - just last year, he linked his fundraising efforts by walking 42 miles, representing the charity's move from the Wiltshire/Dorset border down to Chard.
Kevan’s challenge aims to raise awareness of the awful situations the resident animals are often put in prior to being rescued by the sanctuary – from dogs left astray to kittens abandoned at the curb – with all donations directly supporting the charity’s life-changing work.
He said: "We sadly rescue hundreds of animals every year, who are often left to fend for themselves in the worst conditions you could imagine.
"On their behalf, I will be sleeping rough for seven nights at seven of our eight Ferne charity shops in Devon and Somerset, to raise vital funds for our surrendered, neglected and abandoned animals. Every donation is a life-saving chance for the animals we care for - thank you for your continued support."
All proceeds from Kevan’s initiative will support Ferne Animal Sanctuary’s urgent appeal to raise funds in light of the charity announcing unprecedented and severe financial downturn in recent months.
Kevan told us: "I know that people will have an awareness of the cost of keeping animals - but year on year, our bills have been skyrocketing.
"Our vets and medical bills have hiked by more than 60 per cent in the past year; feed and bedding over 30 per cent... and when you add in utilities and other fees, you're talking it costing us one and a half million pounds to look after the hundreds of animals in our care."
Donations raised will directly support Ferne Animal Sanctuary in continuing to provide the necessary food, shelter, care, and love for more than 300 unwanted animals living at the sanctuary.
Ferne Animal Sanctuary is a non-government funded charity that has provided refuge and rehabilitation to its animals for more than 85 years.
Located in a Natural Landscapes area and nested in the Blackdown Hills near Chard, Somerset, Ferne Animal Sanctuary houses and cares for more than 300 animals on its 72-acre site.