Animal-lover Amanda fulfills a big ambition

8:52am Tuesday 13th May 2008

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AMANDA Mason, who works for Waitrose in Malvern, has been seconded to help at an animal charity through an initiative set up by the supermarket's owners.

Amanda, a food service assistant, was awarded her six-month secondment to Worcestershire Animal Rescue Centre at Deblins Green, near Malvern, by the Golden Jubilee Trust, a charity initiative set up by the John Lewis Partnership to offer practical help to UK-registered charities.

Her work includes helping to raise the charity's local profile through fund-raising initiatives and caring for the many animals in the shelter's care.

As an animal-lover who already owns one dog, Amanda said her charity placement fulfills a life-long ambition.

Since leaving school, she has volunteered as a kennel girl in a number of locations and loves the interaction she has with the dogs and the bonds she is able to make with them.

"I have volunteered at the charity for more than two years and felt that I could help the charity further through a placement," she added.

"I have been able to use my retail experience to improve the shop at the shelter which is now producing fantastic sales.

"I feel that I have been able to give something back to the community whilst combining my two favourite things - food via my job at Waitrose and animals through my secondment."

Ben Sergeant, manager at Worcestershire Animal Rescue Shelter said: "Having Amanda volunteering here on a regular basis is a fantastic help to the team. Her retail experience means she can merchandise the products we sell very effectively.

"She's made the shelter look a lot more professional and her ideas have helped bring in more funding.

"The charity and Amanda have found the secondment incredibly beneficial and both have gained insight and learnt new skills which will help us grow."

Worcestershire Animal Rescue Shelter welcomes dogs of all ages and is run by dedicated people wanting to ease the distress of animals that have been left abandoned or suffering.

Since 2001, the charity has worked hard to fund-raise and has been able to buy more than six acres of land and build a structure incorporating 21 kennels.

The John Lewis Partnership set up the Golden Jubilee Trust in April 2000 to mark the 50th anniversary of the co-ownership business structure.

Employees at any level within John Lewis or Waitrose can apply for a secondment to provide help for a charity, whilst developing new skills which can be used in both their work and personal lives.

The Golden Jubilee Trust awards 50 secondments each year on a full or part-time basis for a maximum of six months and takes on the person's full pay to cover the placement.

Last year the trust donated the equivalent of nearly 22,500 hours to charity.