4:00pm Saturday 4th July 2009
By Simon Farr
AN 84-year-old was the guest of honour at the Stokenchurch Dog Rescue Summer Fair this afternoon after donating £300 to supply new tables.
Ruislip resident Ruby Bevan was invited to the event by the charity after she stepped in and donated £300 to buy replacement tables for the many different stalls at the fund-raiser.
The charity plans to use the money raised at today's annual Summer Fair towards the £200,000 required to complete phase two of the rescue centre's re-development.
One of the new kennel rooms built in phase one of the revamp has already been named after Mrs Bevan and her husband Peter, who died two years ago and was a huge supporter of the charity.
Mrs Bevan said: “I like to help the charity as much as I can and I am fortunate that I'm in a position to help them – so it was a pleasure to step in.
“I've only been involved in the charity for about the last five or six years.
“My son is a volunteer here and does a lot of work and my husband loved his dogs and helped out where he could as well, so when he died two years ago I thought I'd keep on going."
The event itself saw a scarecrow competition, stalls, a tombola and a special display from former rescue dogs, who returned to the centre with their new owners.
Charity spokesman Geoff Perfitt said: “The old tables were rotten and very weak, and at a charity like ours, every little helps.
“So it was absolutely wonderful of Ruby to donate the money to allow us to buy the new tables which are being used today – she is a keen supporter of the charity and we are lucky to have people like her.
“The first phase of the re-build cost £400,000 and had 14 new kennels, a kitchen, a veterinary area and a laundry room.
“The second phase will have 14 more kennels and will hopefully be open by September and it's these events which funds the development and support the great work by the carers here.”
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