Blossoms Rescue Centre was on the brink of collapse when founder Sara Higgins made a desperate plea for help.
And Beccles and Bungay Journal readers have responded so generously, the total donated to the rescue now stands at over £10,000.
“I can’t get over it,” said Mrs Higgins. “I’m just so grateful to everybody, and the animals are so grateful too.
“Donations have still been coming in, I’m over the moon, and people are still writing such lovely letters and cards which are so encouraging.
“The money has taken a huge amount of stress away, we’ve paid our backlog of bills and been able to pay for all the things the animals need.”
Without the money, Mrs Higgins said there is no doubt that Blossoms would have folded.
“It was going to stop,” she said. “I didn’t have a clue what to do and it was terrible. I’ve never really done a huge appeal before but I didn’t know what else to do.
“I thought maybe we would get enough money to buy a week’s worth of hay, but it’s blown me away.”
The money, which has proved a lifeline for Blossoms, has also helped a stray cat named Bruce.
The ginger and white tom has spent several years being fed by kind-hearted strangers, but Mrs Higgins noticed the cat had a serious, infected wound across his face and neck.
Finally able to get hold of him with help from neighbours and her daughter, Bruce was undergoing surgery within an hour of being rescued, and Mrs Higgins knew she could afford his treatment.
She said “It’s enabled me to not even think twice about picking him up, and it’s going to be ongoing with him. It’s going to take him a long time to recover, but he’s doing well now and he’s really lovely.”
As Bruce’s long road to recovery begins, the centre’s short term future is secure, with enough money to see Blossoms through until May, something Mrs Higgins said she couldn’t have imagined happening before the appeal began.
“I just want to say such a massive thank you to each and every person because without their help, these animals wouldn’t still be here at Blossoms, being looked after and we certainly wouldn’t have been able to take in Bruce.
“Every pound that has been donated has gone directly to care for the animals, and everything we’re able to do for them is down to those people who’ve donated. They’ve helped the animals so much.”
Mrs Higgins would also like to hear from anyone who could volunteer to help care for the animals.
You can get in touch by emailing blossomsrescue2015@gmail.com or by calling 07788669640.
To donate to the cause, send a cheque payable to Blossoms Rescue to 5 Napier Terrace, Beccles, Suffolk, NR34 9RF.
Alternatively, put cash donations in a sealed envelope marked ‘Blossoms Rescue’ and bring them in to the Beccles and Bungay Journal office at 20 Blyburgate, Beccles, or donate online via www.blossomsrescue.co.uk
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