A sponsored walk in Richmond Park raised almost £2,000 for two Richmond-based charities.
The walk was supported by the Selwyn Hotel to benefit their two charities of the year, The Otakar Kraus Music Trust and Animal Rescue and Care.
About 25 participants walked the 7.3-mile Tamsin Trail in Richmond Park on Saturday 19 October, raising in total £1,968 to be equally divided between the charities.
Susan Lee, a trustee at Animal Rescue and Care (ARC), said: “The sponsored walk was a terrific opportunity to raise some much-needed funds for the rescue and rehoming of unwanted and abandoned pets in our area.
“We currently have more than 130 animals in our care and have high food costs and vet bills to pay.
“The walk was a great success, a big thank you to everyone who supported the walk and especially to the Selwyn Hotel, who provided delicious catering to our walkers and volunteers.”
Okatar Music Trust (OKMT) fundraising manager Valerie Roy also offered a thank you to the Selwyn Hotel, adding: “It was lovely to share the day with friends and make some new ones, who all share the desire to protect and enhance the lives of the vulnerable members of our community.”
OKMT support over 500 people with additional needs, disabilities, or long-term health conditions through music therapy, helping them to communicate, gain confidence, meet new people, and flourish through music.
Roy said: “The aftermath of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis has really increased demand for both charities.
“For us, that’s because there’s been lots of cuts to services for vulnerable children and adults, so this money will help us to continue our work with them.”
ARC has helped over 8000 animals since it was set up in 2001, and is funded completely by donations from the public, being run without any paid staff or premises – all of the animals in their care are fostered by volunteers in their own homes.
In addition to animal rescue and rehoming, ARC tries to raise awareness on the importance of neutering in order to decrease the number unwanted animals; they recently neutered 120 cats for free for families on low income to reduce unwanted litters and feral colonies in SW London.
Lee added: “This wonderful collaboration with OKMT for the walk will help us fund further outreach work.”
To donate to OKMT and ARC, vist https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/richmondparkwalk.
