The 8th annual fayre was held at the RSPCA (Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Sheffield Animal Centre on Saturday morning to allow people to enjoy shopping while funding local animals’ aid.
This year’s Christmas Fayre had the largest number of stalls (more than 20) and the widest range of goods (more than 30 kinds)in the history of the Sheffield branch of the RSPCA. Goods on sale included books, cakes, crafts, bric-a-brac, pet supplies and refreshments for children and adults alike. There were also lectures, informal discussions, video showings and indoor games which are closely involved with animal protection and adoption. Participants were free to view animals there and meet some of the staff working at the centre.
About 200 people attended the event and it raised £2201.90, which is a new high in the branch’s record. This result is so encouraging that most volunteer trustees of the branch say they will continue to run Christmas Fayre in future years.
A volunteer of the Fayre tried to explain the reasons for this success: “This may be because of the increasing awareness of animal protection, the expanding influence of our branch and the improvement of publicity.”
“I love this event!” said Keith Towler, a fan of the Christmas Fayre, “It is a shopper’s paradise and a real recreation.”
“The event gives me an opportunity to make friends who hold the same passion as me to care for animals,” said David Miller, another animal defender.
Maria Swift, a new participant added: “I cannot wait to join this activity as soon as I heard it from one of my friends…because I think it necessary to support animal re-homing.”
The Sheffield branch of the RSPCA is completely self-funding, operating independently of the National RSPCA, the government and local authority. This means it has to pay for its activities through fund raising, donations and legacies.
“We used to depend on donations to prop up rescue efforts, but donators are usually unstable and limited. Caring for animals still lays heavy financial burdens on us. The Christmas Fayre can be a good solution to increase revenue by selling popular pre-Christmas goods,” said Louise Wilcockson, a staff in the RSPCA Sheffield branch.
However, the minority holds the view that funds raised from Christmas Fayrecan hardly cover its daily operational expenditure of more than £2000 over a long period of time.
“The Christmas Fayre cannot be the best solution to this problem, but it will not be the last one,” pointed out by Jane Hanna, “ Our E-bay shopping may be an alternative to raise funds needed.”
by Jiawen Zhou
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