A community craft fair project is spreading the love ahead of Valentine’s Day by fundraising for a local animal rescue charity.
New Ash Green Craft Fairs and Markets (NAG Craft Fairs) has announced that its Valentine’s Day Craft Fair will be in aid of New Hope Animal Rescue, a charity from Herne Bay.
Founded in 2018 by Liz Boniface and Claire Gray, the NAG craft fairs and markets are popular and showcase a wide variety of products, the group says. The team is also supported by two other organisers, Kate Stanford and Diane Furlong.
All four are animal lovers, with three of them being dog owners, which according to organiser Kate Stanford, played a role in their decision to support New Hope Animal Rescue.
A recent social media post from the charity highlighted the plight of seven Spaniel puppies who were abandoned in Swanley in January. Nicknamed “The Super Seven”, the dogs were dumped in freezing conditions and were discovered with severe deformities and covered in mange, said Ms Stanford. All seven are being nursed back to health by New Hope.
“On seeing the plight of the Super Seven, we couldn’t do anything but help raise funds,” said Ms Stanford. She added that to further help New Hope, the craft fair was acting as a drop off point for items such as food and puppy pads.
When announcing the event on Facebook, NAG Craft Fairs praised the “wonderful team” at New Hope and encouraged people to “support the brilliant job they do”.
New Hope Animal Rescue (NHAR) is based in Herne Bay and rescues animals “on death row”, or who have complex medical conditions that are difficult to place in new homes.
“We are so very grateful to NAG Craft Fairs for organising a fundraiser for us,” said an NHAR spokesperson. They also said that the money will go towards vets’ bills, a major expense for the charity.
As an entirely volunteer-run and self-funded organisation, the group relies on donations and new volunteers.
“We could not help as many animals as we do without these caring people,” said the spokesperson.
The craft fair will take place on Sunday 11th February at New Ash Green Youth Centre from 10am to 3pm. It will include a variety of craft stalls, face painting and coffee.