Raystede Animal Shelter celebrates 70th anniversary

The Queen isn't the only one reaching her platinum milestone this year

Author: Adam GoacherPublished 17th Jan 2022

A popular animal rehoming charity in Sussex is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.

Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare in Lewes was launched way back in 1952.

As part of the celebrations, Raystede is calling on anyone who has made use of their services over the years to come forward and share their stories.

Rachel Simm from the charity said: "If people want to come and visit us, share their memories and have a look around then we'd love to welcome everyone who'd like to come and see how Raystede has developed, and learn more about the work we do in this day and age."

The charity was started by by Miss M Raymonde-Hawkins, a former headmistress with a love for animals.

Rachel says she has left a real legacy behind: "She developed all this support from people who were also highly passionate about animals. People really value them as family and I think she truly understood that.

"She lived at Raystede in a small bungalow, on the broil, with a garden. Her house has now become our offices and her garden has ultimately grown and grown and grown to the 42-acre site we are now."

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