downsmail.co.uk


Help floods in after goat charity’s appeal


THE Coronavirus pandemic has created a time of national crisis, with many charities seeing un- precedented hardships.


Buttercups Goat Sanctuary ur- gently appealed for funds at the peak of lockdown, claiming it had just six weeks’ worth of emergency supplies left. Now founder Bob Hitch says the sanctuary could “probably survive until Christmas” after the attrac- tion sparked a huge flood of dona- tions on social media. Mr Hitch said: “We have had a wonderful response which started when the Downs Mail supported our plight and made it all public.” The much-loved Boughton Monchelsea-based charity says it is “recovering well”, thanks to the generosity of the public . He added: “We thought maybe the appeal would interest people locally, but we had no idea it would reach people nationally. “We had over 500 emails the day


Founder Bob Hitch with visitors Seren Fewsdale (5) and Phoebe Fewsdale (3)


after the appeal went online. Our website crashed due to the amount of people on it at one time and the phone was ringing off the hook. There were two of us in the office and we could not believe it. “With the funds raised so far, we should be okay until Christmas. Unrelated to the virus, hay has also doubled in price because we had such a dry summer. It has gone


from £2.50 a bale to more than £4 so we still need all the help we can get. “We are just thrilled to be able to


see visitors coming through those gates once more.” Buttercups is open every Thurs-


day to Monday from 11am to 4pm. To make a donation online and find out about other ways to sup- port Buttercups visit www.butter- cups.org.uk or call 01622 746420.


News


Knitting plea HEART of Kent Hospice is asking


knitters to help create Unity Mitten tree decorations for their Christ- mas 2020 campaign.


The mittens are a symbol cele- brating the relationship between the hospice and the community. They will be sold across Maid-


stone in the run-up to Christmas to raise money for the Heart of Kent Hospice. For details, email emma.greenwood@hokh.co.uk or call 07484 527992.


Ceiling falls in


SHOPPERS were evacuated from a Maidstone supermarket after ceil- ing tiles collapsed after a storm. Rainwater poured in at the Mor- risons store, in Sutton Road, at about 2.50pm on Sunday, August 16. Emergency services attended and nobody was injured.


Ride and stride


THE Ride and Stride fundraiser for Kent churches and good causes will take place September 12.


Details from Derek Hadlow (Broomfield) 01622-861955; Brian Hardy (Leeds) 01622-84291 and Peter Roberts (Kingswood) 01622-843625.


*minimum age for crusies is 16 years


• Fully customised SmartPhone App (Android / Apple ) from £29 a month *3 month no obligation free trial


• Website design and build from £199 * Nothing to pay until January 2021


• Website hosting from £9.99 a month


• Price match PC’s , Laptops Printers, Gadgets Consoles, Devices , accessories and much much more


• Free delivery to your home or business address (or safe collection from Allington, Kent)


• Guidance and support for setting up a Social Media presence for your business , project or enterprise . Facebook , LinkedIn , Instagram etc


enquiries@cybersonix.co.uk www.cybersonix.co.uk 07979 006793


1st September • 8th September • 15th September Price - £35.00 PP


2hr Fish & Chips Supper Cruise – Enjoy an evening river cruise on the Upper River Medway between East Farleigh & Allington Lock with Fish & Chips supper.


3rd September • 10th September • 17th September • 24th September Price £25.00 PP


Medway between East Farleigh & Allington Lock with Fish & Chips lunch.


16th September • 23rd September • 30th September. Price £25.00 PP


Undercliffe Boathouse, Bishops Way, Maidstone, Kent ME15 6XG 01622 753740 www.kentishlady.co.uk *minimum age for crusies is 16 years


3


The Kentish Lady team are delighted to offer the following excursions for September 2020


River Medway and is one of Kent’s Premier Excursion Providers. Allington Castle Cruise with Exclusive Gardens Tour – Visit Allington Castle via


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