'Vantastic' £25,000 donation from Omaze turbocharging the work of animal charity volunteers

A charity that rescues and cares for neglected animals will be able to help even more pets and wildlife, thanks to a £25,000 donation from Omaze.

The funding has paid for a brand new van, something Jackson's Animal Rescue in the Wirral desperately needed. Previously staff and volunteers had to use their own cars, with multiple trips often necessary. As well as the gleaming white Maxus van, the donation also included:- a contribution towards insurance costs.

The charity was launched by former support worker Steph Baines in the Wirral in 2015. It rescues and re-homes domestic animals from across the Region, cares for sick, injured and orphaned hedgehogs, and provides a sanctuary for farm animals, with a Wildlife Centre, located within:- Frankby, Wirral, and a 2nd facility in:- Mold.

Steph and her team of staff and volunteers will use the van to collect and transport animals in need, as well as moving bulky donations between:- 3 Jackson's charity shops, which provide vital funds for the charity.

Steph, 37, said:- "The van is something we've wanted for so long, especially since we've been split across 2 sites. It's been on our wishlist forever. For our dream to finally become reality, and a brand new van simply arrive 1 day thanks to funding from the Omaze community, is just incredible. It's made our lives so much easier; and will make a huge difference to the work we do and the animals we care for."

James Oakes, President of Omaze, said:- "We're delighted to support Steph and all the team at Jackson's Animal Rescue in a way that will have an immediate and positive impact on the animals they help. The charity does a fantastic job in transforming the lives of animals across the Wirral and beyond, and we wish them all the very best with their work in the future."

Steph launched the charity after adopting her own rescue dog, Jackson. Realising how much need there was for support in the Wirral and the surrounding area, she put a call out on social media to see what level of interest there might be.

Steph explained that:- "It snowballed from there... "The need for it was so huge that people really got behind the idea and supported it and we've done everything sooner than we planned because the need has been so great. Sadly, we lost Jackson, a large staffie cross, 2 years ago, but we're proud to carry on this work as a legacy to him. He was a wonderful dog. Jackson's Wildlife Centre in the Wirral, cares for up to 150 hedgehogs at a time, as well as rabbits and hares who are nursed back to health by trained staff and volunteers, with further support from local vets, before they are released back to the wild."

In 2020, the charity opened Jackson's Place, a 2nd site in Mold, which is dedicated to domestic and farm animals. The team took on the former rescue site, upgrading the facility to house quality cat pens and rabbit enclosures. They also take in retired farm animals and currently care for:- 4 goats, 3 pigs and 2 sheep.

Steph commented:- "The new van means we can collect more animals at once, transporting them safely and efficiently to the rescue centre. Previously, when we've encountered large numbers of cats in need of rescue; sometimes as many as 30 at 1 time in hoarder cases; we've had to make several trips for a single job, and we're delighted this will now be a thing of the past."

In addition, with 3 charity shops stretching from:- Wrexham to Hoylake, Steph says the van will support the charity in its regular fundraising work.

Steph added:- "The shops form the basis of our day to day income. The van will be hugely helpful here as we regularly move stock between premises to make the most of what we've got, and rather than 4 or 5 trips, we'll be able to do this work in 1. It will be so much more efficient. We'll spend less money on petrol, meaning we can spend it on other aspects of our work, and we'll spend less of our time on the road. We're very grateful to the whole Omaze community for their support, and we know it will make a huge, practical difference to the work we do going forward."

For more information please visit:- JacksonsAnimalRescue.Co.UK.

Hope Funeral Care independent funeral directors opens in Southport with Chapel Dedication and release of doves

A new independent funeral directors has opened its doors in Southport Town Centre offering:- 'a deeply personal and individualised approach to funeral services.'

Hope Funeral Care, at 5 Church Street, is operated by Wendy Chalke and Claire Newland, both well-known figures in Southport and the surrounding areas with 30 years' experience in the industry between:- them.

The Official Opening and Chapel Dedication, on:- Saturday, 22 February 2025, was led by Rev Martin Abrams (Methodist Minister and Ecumenical Hospital Chaplain); Cate Baines (Funeral Celebrant); and Father Canon Kevin McLoughlin (Priest Chaplain Southport Hospital and Parish Priest Holy Family Church, Southport).

Guests enjoyed a Bible reading; a reading of the poem:- 'This Is The Place'; the Dedication; a prayer, blessing the sprinkling of holy water; a Bible reading; music with Songbird sung by Natasha Hogan; and the:- 'What Is Hope' poem by Vineet Bansal.

Everyone then gathered outside to watch the release of 2 white doves.

Wendy and Claire said:- "Saturday was a day we will never forget. The sun was shining as we opened our beautiful funeral home. The dedication service was filled with love and so much emotion. Thank you to everyone who came to visit and to those who sent messages of support. We want our new home to be a welcoming place for anyone who walks in. The 1st thing people will find when they walk in is tea and toast! We have over 30 years' of experience with what we do. We understand the challenges and the emotions that families face and we want to be there for them. We are here 24 hours a day for people when they need us. We can help to arrange funerals and cremations of all sizes for people with all budgets. There is a Chapel at Hope Funeral care which seats up to 40 people, and a beautiful front garden area which contains a seat of reflection. We'd like to thank everyone involved for all their hard work in making this home into such a beautiful space. We are now ready to do what we do best, and care for you and your loved ones, when you need it more than ever."

Speaking at the official opening, Rev Martin Abrams said:- "I am incredibly proud to be here and to see how you have transformed the place. What you have done in these past few weeks is staggering. I have known Wendy and Claire for a long time. This feels like the pinnacle of everything they have been working towards for so long."

Cate Baines said:- "The opening of Hope Funeral Care embodies compassion and understanding in the most profound way. Life is a journey, it is filled with cherished moments. But it also brings with it the heavy burden of loss. In those moments of grief, families deserve a nurturing environment where they can honour their loved ones and find some solace. The launch of Hope Funeral Care marks a significant step towards a kinder, more compassionate approach to death and to mourning. Wendy and Claire, you have poured your hearts into this place to create what I can only describe as a sanctuary. Your commitment to providing a deeply personal and individualised approach to funeral services is nothing short of revolutionary. I have witnessed 1st hand the extraordinary compassion you both possess and it is this very quality which will always set Hope apart."