AN animal sanctuary near Chard has raised £50,000 towards a £500,000 project to build a kennel block for its dogs.

Ferne Animal Sanctuary’s £1million New Digs for Dogs project will see it build an enhanced kennel block, improved grooming and veterinary care room, information hub, social unit, offices, reception and purpose-built rehoming centre at its site in Wambrook.

Some £500,000 has been saved from various sources over many years towards the project but the charity still needs to raise the remaining £500,000 through donations.

Sanctuary director Jenny Wheadon said: “It is truly wonderful news that our appeal has now reached its first milestone. I am completely overwhelmed at the number of people who are donating and running all sorts of events to help us raise the money needed for this project.

“Every penny raised will go towards not only building the facility but also equipping and maintaining it. We now have a list of equipment that businesses may like to sponsor and would be particularly interested to hear from anyone who may be able to help in this way.

“I would like to invite everyone to visit the fundraising events page on our website and come to the sanctuary to see how the new building is progressing. It’s such an exciting time for us all to know that such a wonderful facility will be ours by the end of the year.

“We are all extremely grateful for the generous support received – and so are all the animals.

We can’t thank everyone enough. It just goes to show how loved our four-legged friends are.

I would ask everyone to please continue to donate if they can, as we still have a very long way to go.”

Fundraising packs for the appeal and details of how to give are available from Ferne Animal Sanctuary on 01460-65214 or by visiting www.ferneanimal sanctuary.org