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YIP - Sheffield - Issue 1 - 2020 P21
Protecting the Animals of South Yorkshire parties like baby showers, 18th birthdays and other similar gatherings. During a normal year the sanctuary would host many events around South Yorkshire, however due to COVID-19 these have been put on hold. Past events have included Christmas and Easter Fairs and also their flagship dog show Pooches in the Park. These dog shows have been hosted at Clifton Park in Rotherham and Millhouses Park in Sheffield and regularly attract thousands of people and their dogs. For 2020 however, the dog show was moved online and recently saw over 400 participants and one thousand pounds raised. The sanctuary also held an abseil at Millers Dale Viaduct in the Peak District in August which saw 70 supporters abseiling a 70ft drop, raising over ÂŁ10,000 for Thornberry. The charity also seeks to help fund its resources and develop the sanctuary by applying for grants. In the last 12 months the sanctuary have received two grants from Battersea in London which have been used to develop two new buildings onsite. Firstly, is a new home from home room which will be a safe indoor space for the animals to enjoy and socialise with potential new owners, staff and volunteers. This room will provide an area in which cats can roam and dogs can enjoy time of the lead and familiarise themselves with a homelike environment after spending time at the sanctuary. The second grant from Battersea has enabled the sanctuary to build a new vet room which will be open in 2021. This vet room will mean that a lot of the animals at Thornberry can be treated, vaccinated and neutered onsite which will be of amazing value in increasing the welfare of the animals at the sanctuary. Along with these grants the charity has received help from the National Lottery, Support Adoption for Pets and most recently Tails.com amongst others. The tails.com grant was actually presented by TV presenter Lorraine Kelly and will pay for the outdoor exercise area to be AstroTurfed so it is a safer and cleaner space for the dogs to enjoy some outdoor exercise off the lead. Lorraine Kelly is not the only celebrity to have been associated with the sanctuary though, as last year saw Pete Wicks from The Only Way Is Essex visit the charity and help to raise a whopping ÂŁ6,000. 2020 also saw a new trustee joining the board. Stuart Turner, owner of the award winning film and production company LensGo Visual Media, joined Thornberry bringing his business expertise and extensive network. Moving forwards the charity is navigating its way through the difficulties that COVID-19 is presenting but it is hoped like many that 2021 will be a much better year for all. With four new projects due for completion and more in the pipeline, the sanctuary continues to grow from strength to strength. With a Facebook following of over 50,000 people and a reputation for the upmost professional animal care, Thornberry is a growing hub within the animal community and within Yorkshire.
Photography by Nick Frewin