A SCHOOLGIRL has raised £155.50 for Ferne Animal Sanctuary in Chard from a tuck shop.

Ella Herbison, 11, decided to raise the funds for the sanctuary's “New Digs For Dogs” £1million project appeal in memory of her golden Labrador Alfie, who came from Ferne eight years ago.

Ella said: “I read a leaflet about the appeal and decided to set up a tuck shop in my class room at school.  I ran it every lunch-time for three weeks. I raised the money for the new dog kennels in memory of my golden Labrador Alfie, who came from Ferne eight years ago.”

Mum Tanya said: “We got Alfie from Ferne in 2004 when he was just one year old. Sadly, he died of cancer last year, aged eight. He was a great pet. During his life with us, he took part in agility classes and together, Ella and Alife obtained their bronze and silver Good Citizen awards. They were also planning on getting gold.

“Ella is a member of the Young Kennel Club and Alfie took part in two Young Kennel Club summer camps with us as a family. They also took part in flyball, handling and dog showing and also attended lessons at Somerset Canine Obedience Club.

“Alfie was a naughty Labrador - people would say he was ‘Marley and Me Live’ all the time!  But he was incredibly loyal and loving to us.

“Ella was really pleased to receive her fund-raising certificate from Ferne. We are both really looking forward to seeing the new rehoming centre open towards the end of this year.”

Ferne Animal Sanctuary recently launched their £1m project “New Digs for Dogs” to build a new enhanced kennel block, improved grooming and veterinary care room, information hub, social unit, offices, reception and purpose built rehoming centre at their site in Somerset.

Fundraising packs for the appeal and details of how to donate can be obtained by calling Ferne Animal Sanctuary on 01460 65214 or by visiting www.ferneanimalsanctuary.org