Home builders make £1,000 donation to Banbury animal rescue charity

Pictured, from left, at the BARKS cat rescue centre in Bodicote, are Barratt sales adviser, Sarah Bennett, with BARKS Chair Ann Collins.

Barratt's Community Fund allows each division to donate £1,000 per month to an organisation working to improve the quality of life for those living in their area.

Banbury Animal Rescue & Kindness Service (BARKS) were invited to apply because they are based near the current Barratt development, at Whitechapel Gardens in Bodicote, and are renowned for their vital animal care and rehoming work.

BARKS Chair Ann Collins said: “This generous donation couldn't have come at a better time to help us cover everyday vet and care bills. We're totally volunteer-run and, during the pandemic months, have had to survive on very restricted income, despite valiant efforts from the team to raise money online and in other inventive ways.

“Rehoming has started again now, but we continued to take in animals throughout the lockdown and we're expecting a lot more in the post-Covid months. We're working hard to attract more support and more volunteers.”

Tanya Silk, sales director from Barratt Homes said: “Pets are a vital part of so many homes and such valued family members. This seems to us like a very positive way to support home life in this area and reward a hard-working team who offer a marvellous second chance to pets and their new owners.”