A rescue charity in Co Antrim, which also helps vulnerable people with emotional support animals, is appealing to the public to help the double their fundraising efforts in time for Christmas – for no extra cost to the donor.
Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary is the only charity in Northern Ireland dedicated to rescuing horses, alongside dogs and cats, and running ‘Animal Assisted Activities’.
In the past 12 months, the organisation’s Animals Helping People programme has helped 735 individuals across NI.
Volunteer Sarah Ferguson said she ‘struggles to put into words’ how special Crosskennan is to her, and she is now running a BigGive Christmas campaign to raise £10,000 for the sanctuary.
Donations will be doubled until the initiative ends at 12pm this Tuesday, and Sarah has secured £5,000 in match funding.
“We therefore just need to raise £5,000, otherwise the match funding goes to waste,” she explained.
“Fundraising has however been slower than last year. We have raised 21% [of our target] so far but time is running out. There is hope though.
“Funds are so tight at Crosskennan. We have been running on a month-by-month basis a lot of the time, not knowing if we will have enough money for the next month, so we really need this £10,000 to get through the winter.
“Crosskennan is so unique and we do so much for people.”
Sarah added that the sanctuary has been there for her through her own mental health struggles, illness and bereavements, including the death of her mother.
“I first volunteered on the yard when I was off work with anxiety, as I had such a love for animals, especially horses,” she continued.
“I was very nervous driving on motorways at the time, but the difference going there made to me – I had to work through it.
“I fell in love with beautiful, ex-racehorse Jake and just being round him, giving him hugs and a brush, along with helping with the yard chores, gave me such a sense of satisfaction and a happy feeling. I really felt I was making a difference.
“I have struggled with anxiety and depression during my life and lost a lot of people, including my mum who had Alzheimer’s and was my best friend.
“Crosskennan has been there throughout it all, like my security blanket. They helped me get my first cat, a stray, who I named Jenny after my mum. This was just before I lost both parents so it made such a difference having her there and she is such a big part of my family.
“It is such a privilege to be able to go up to Crosskennan whenever I need to, spend time with the animals and escape from life’s stresses of which there are so many!
“I work hard now fundraising for Crosskennan which I have also discovered a passion for and gives me a further sense of purpose. I truly love every single animal there.”
You can donate to Crosskennan’s Christmas cause and find out more info here.