WOW! That is all we have… just Wow!! A couple of weeks ago we received an email off Gail Hughes explaining that she was looking for a suitable animal charity to make a donation to in memory of the passing of her Husband Mark Andrew Hughes, who tragically passed away two year’s ago today (30th May). She told us she had closed down his business and had one Ford Fiesta Van left that she’d like to donate to us as Mark was a massive animal lover. Well at this point we were gobsmacked! Who gives away a Van? Well apparently this genuinely lovely lady who wanted to do something to mark her beloved Husband’s memorial day! So on Friday last week Clare our CEO and Gemma one of our volunteers and fosterers went to visit Gail to officially take possession of the vehicle. To say we were overwhelmed is the biggest understatement of the year!
Gail and her wonderful Family and Friends had all come together to not only donate the van, but had also had it sign written, insured and taxed for a full year and had filled it to the brim with pet donations such as food, treats, beds, puppy pads, cat litter – you name it, the van was FULL to bursting! So much so that Gemma had to take some back in her own car too as it didn’t all fit!!
Not only this but Gail had put on catering and soft drinks for the occasion and had arranged for a photographer and reporter from The Shropshire Star and Express and Star to come along too! Not only this, she had been in contact with K9 Anytime of Shifnal who have donated a full day of pampering for all the rescue dog in our care to be arranged in the near future!
We honestly do not know what to say, we didn’t know Mark personally, but the love, generosity and sheer number of people who donated items and money, who came to talk to us and support Gail in his memory just shows what an amazing man he must have been. We are honoured to have been chosen as the charity to benefit from this outpouring of love and cannot thank Gail and her Family and Friends enough, we honestly do not know what to say other than thank you.
This donation will help in ways we cannot yet imagine and we thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. We’re sure Mark would be extremely proud.
We would like to thank the following people: Firstly Gail Hughes - for the donation of the van and organising the whole day. Again, Gail Hughes at Freelance Bookkeeping Ltd – for donating the cost and arranging to Tax the van for 12 months, also for filling up the tank with fuel. Ant at CDP Printing, Ketley – for donating his time and resources sign writing the van with the Wings and Paws Rescue logo and design. Kerry Ford at Hello Monkey, for donating her time creating the logo design for the van. Diane Riley Waite and Ali Aktar of We Do Rentals Ltd – for donating the cost of and arranging the insurance on the van for 12 months. Sarah and Garry Addison, at Addison and Lans Ltd Wellington – for making a huge donation of food, toys and essential items for the animals in our care. Alison Arnold, of Serchem Ltd, Telford - for making a huge donation of food, toys and essential items for the animals in our care. Isobel, Tom and Luke of K9 Anytime, Shifnal – for the beautiful and thoughtful donation of a days pampering for the rescue animals in our care and making us their chosen charity for future contributions Nick Slater and the Members of Fitbody Gym Telford – for allowing a collection bin for members to drop food donations into for the animals in our care. Simon and the Team at GGS Automotive, Hadley Business Park – for transporting the van on trade plates to and from the sign writers. To all of Gail and Mark’s Family and Friends who made money donations to purchase supplies for the animals in our care and also handed us a £60 cash donation on the day. And lastly to Daisy the Beagle, who was the star of the day and who has been there for Gail through good and bad days. In her own words she ‘’could not have gotten through the last 2 years without you by my side’’ Thank you, Thank you, Thank you from everyone and all the animals at Wings and Paws Rescue.
We would like to end on this message of support to us from Diane and the We Do Rentals Team, we think this applies to everyone who supports our little rescue at Wings and Paws : ‘’Animals have no voice. They can’t ask for help. They can’t ask for freedom. They can’t ask for protection. Humanity must be their voice. Thank you for being the humanity we need in the world right now.’’
In loving memory of Mark Andrew Hughes – 26/07/1967 to 30/05/2020, Owner/Director of Direct Freight Logistics Ltd.
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