RSPCA Chesterfield and North Derbyshire launches special challenge for animal lovers as part of 80th birthday celebrations

RSPCA Chesterfield and North Derbyshire will celebrate its 80th birthday in April and as part of the celebrations it has launched a special ‘80 for 80’ challenge.

The branch wants animal lovers to raise at least £80 by taking part in a fundraising activity in April - be it a sponsored dog walk, a school bake sale, a raffle at work or a bigger personal challenge - to help give animals in need a second chance in life.

Any fundraiser who successfully completes the ’80 for 80’ will become RSPCA Chesterfield ‘Birthday Buddies’ and receive special recognition for their efforts.

Stephanie McCawley, from the branch, said: “We would love to hear from anyone who would like to get involved and hear your stories.”

Nicky Crawford, a trustee and volunteer at the branch, has already risen to the challenge. Along with her rescue dog, Jackson, she will be undertaking ‘Jackson’s 80 in 8 Walkies’ which will see them covering 80km in eight different walks around north Derbyshire next month.

She said: “I adopted Jackson from the Chesterfield Animal Centre two years ago and when I heard of their ’80 for 80’ challenge I thought there was no better way for Jackson to pay all the staff back for taking care of him during his stay.”

As well as supporting the branch’s 80th birthday, it will also be a double personal celebration for Nicky and German Shepherd cross Jackson.

Jackson will be celebrating his third birthday and Nicky has just completed her first year of remission after suffering from cancer of the tonsils.

Nicky said: “To celebrate my first year in remission I wanted to do something different to show how far I have come and I couldn’t think of any better way to do this and raise money at the same time.”

- For information or to receive an ‘80 for 80’ pack, call Steph McCawley on 01246 273358 or email [email protected].