Neighbours help save land for animal rescue charity

Alison Kirk got her neighbours together so they could lend the money to Brinsley Animal Rescue

A group of horse-loving neighbours have saved a field from being developed so it can continue to be used by rescued animals.

Brinsley Animal Rescue in Nottinghamshire had been renting the land but was told at short notice that it was due to be sold at auction.

People whose houses overlook the field - and love watching rescue horses Rosie and Dillwin - then got together and pledged an interest-free loan totalling £29,000.

This meant the charity could make a winning bid of £67,000 for the land, so its rescue animals can continue using the field.

'Bizarre' meeting

Alison Kirk came up with the idea of lending the money, and wrote a letter which she posted through her neighbours' doors.

They then had a meeting in the horses' field, to the south of Main Street, with Rosie and Dillwin also present.

"They were loitering in the field, we were standing the other side of the stables, so they didn't attend the meeting as such," said Ms Kirk.

"It was really bizarre because we all stood there in a circle in the open air, strangers, because we'd never even met some of them before.

"The heart-warming thing was that people were genuinely wanting to help and encourage and support."

Rosie is one of several rescue horses being cared for by Brinsley Animal Rescue

Ms Kirk moved to her home two years ago and loves watching the horses while she is working from home.

"I'm supposed to get work done but I often watch them out the window," she said.

"They're wonderful horses. The older one is called Rosie. She's quite feisty but she's quite old, I think. She's a lovely character.

"Dillwin was a retired racehorse and I think he didn't win a lot of races, so he couldn't make a lot of money for people, so he was rescued before the inevitable happened. He's lovely, he's very gentle."

Jon Beresford (centre) said he was overwhelmed by support from neighbours including David Lickley (left) and Ian Smith

The charity also had to use some of its own reserves to buy the field, as it cost about £75,000 including legal fees and other costs.

It has therefore launched a fundraising campaign so it can build up its reserves again, and also pay back the neighbours.

Jon Beresford, who co-founded the charity with his partner Beth Hewis, said buying the field means the animals will have more space.

"Now that we're legally buying this land it's a huge weight off our heads, so that we don't have to relocate the animals we've got on here," he said.

"We're absolutely overwhelmed, absolutely gobsmacked by the support from the local community."

Neighbours of the field have helped to save it from development

David Lickley, one of the people who has lent money, said he was grateful to Brinsley Animal Rescue for saving the land.

"I know they couldn't have done it without our help but it's a no brainer because we are going to get the money back," he said.

"Obviously our back garden backs on to these fields and we didn't want houses being built on this greenbelt."

Ian Smith, who has also lent money, said he and his wife love feeding Rosie and Dillwin.

"This view and these fields are what drew us to Brinsley to buy this property, and the things that the charity does for the area is fantastic," he said.

"We are so happy it's been saved. To know this field is safe and is in the hands of a local charity - which we have donated to and will continue to donate to - to help them out has been amazing."