IT IS the perfect way to mark the end of celebrating three decades of rescuing and rehoming animals.
Volunteers at the Hull Animal Welfare Trust have raised their £30,000 fundraising target, just in time for Christmas.
Jill Copeland, general manager at the South Cave charity, said: "We would like to send our greatest thanks to all of our supporters who have made donations by post, in person and online who have helped us mark this great achievement.
"There are also people selling goods on eBay who are donating 100 per cent of those sales directly to the trust.
"That is in addition to the trustees, staff and volunteers who made their own goals to each raise £30 towards the £30,000 total."
Hull Animal Welfare Trust was formed in 1982 by a group of people who wanted to do something practical about animal cruelty and abandonment in Hull and the East Riding.
The organisation has come a long way and conditions for animals and volunteers have improved immeasurably.
The charity, which has rehomed tens of thousands of dogs, cats, rabbits and gerbils, includes the Hull Hedgehog Hospital and Bunny Shelter.
On average, they home 1,000 animals per year.
As well as the rescuing and rehoming, the charity also has to raise the funds to keep the charity going. Last year, from June to June, the vet bills came to £120,000.
Throughout the year, volunteers and supporters of the charity have worked organising everything from craft fairs and open days, in a bid to hit the £30,000 mark.
Their recent Christmas fair, held earlier this month in Hessle's All Saints' Church, raised £2,348.
Sue Sewell, chairman of Hull Animal Welfare Trust, said: "It's been a special year.
"There has been a lot of Christmas donations. Initially, the fundraising was a slow process, but later in the year it escalated and we are still receiving donations now.
"We've had people taking part in sponsored slims, bike rides and giving up chocolate and cigarettes.
"I really would like to thank everyone who has donated.
"I initially did not think we would hit the £30,000 target."
The final £5,500, which makes up the £30,000 has come through the Petplan Charitable Trust.
Mrs Sewell said: "This is great news for us.
"We can exist only on the donations we receive.
"Our kennel block is now 15 years old and beginning to show its age.
"With this Pedigree grant from Petplan we now have the opportunity to upgrade the lighting and heating for all the dogs we will be looking after in coming years.
"The grant will also enable us to install some additional CCTV, so we will be able to keep an eye on our four-legged guests right around the clock."
As well as the £30,000 campaign, the charity also set itself the target of recruiting 30 volunteers.
Mrs Sewell said: "We've had over and above the 30 volunteers, so much so that we've had to leave some people until the new year.
"We've been holding training days for people wanting to become volunteers."
The charity is always seeking donations of cash, as well as animal food and bedding.
The Sunnydene Animal Shelter in South Cave is open every day of the year, from 11am to 2pm and no appointment is necessary.
However, care is always taken to match the right animal with the right home.
Visit www.hullanimalwelfare. co.uk or call 01430 423986 for more information or to get involved.
