A CAMPAIGN to build a new animal rescue centre near Worcester has a new spring in its step after an rabbit-lover raised money for abandoned bunnies.

RSPCA campaigners are not so much jumping for joy as hopping after Mary Kingan of Wichenford near Worcester completed a sponsored slim to raise vital proceeds towards the rabbit pods for the new rescue and rehoming centre on the edge of Worcester called 'the Holdings'.

Mrs Kingan, pictured on the left, presented her cheque for £460 to Louise Quayle, administrator for the Worcester and Mid-Worcestershire Branch of the RSPCA at the end of last month.

Mrs Kingan wanted to give something back to the RSPCA after the charity helped her get treatment for one of her rabbits when it became sick.

She said: "I always try to help people charities but I feel animals sometimes can't help themselves when people are more capable of doing that."

As well as putting a spring into the campaign she is also lighter on her own feet thanks to the slim, dropping from 11 stone and 13lbs to 10 stone and 2lbs over six months.

Family and friends sponsored her and the amount raised has been donated, with gift aid, towards the building project.

Mary was a devoted rabbit owner and would like the amount to go towards the small animal pods.

Gift aid has added an extra £115 to the amount raised, bringing the total value to £575.

The trustees of RSPCA Worcester and Mid-Worcestershire Branch have thanked Mrs Kingan and everyone who sponsored her and sent their congratulations to her on her achievement.

As previously reported, groundworks started at the end of November and the foundations for the new buildings are almost complete at the new centre in Broomhall on the outskirts of Worcester.

The branch needs the public's support to help them get the centre up and running so they can support abused, neglected and abandoned animals in the Worcestershire area.

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