ANIMAL charities could benefit from 90 days of food for all rescue animals from company fundraiser.

Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary is on of the charities set to benefit from a Blackburn companies Christmas appeal which will also benefit five other North West animal charities badly hit by the pandemic

Blackburn company Networx3 have launched their 2020 Santa Paws Christmas appeal early this year which sends hundreds of pounds worth of cash, food donations and essential supplies to rescue centres, cats and dogs’ homes and animal sanctuaries.

For the first time this year the company will also expand their usual collection service across Lancashire to include the general public. Following social distancing guidelines she will be picking up unused but unwanted animal food, pre-loved leads and toys and good quality second hand donations from people who can’t travel.

The seven animal charities they’re helping this year – including Bleakholt in Edenfield - have been massively impacted by the pandemic with fundraising income slashed in half, events cancelled and valuable volunteers having to shield or self isolate.

This year they’ve started their campaign a month early in a bid to make Santa Paws 2020 the best year ever with an aim to feed all the animals at each centre for three months.

Bleakholt President Gemma Atkinson said: "We are delighted Networx3 have included Bleakholt in their 2020 Santa Paws Christmas appeal. It's been a tough year for all charities and we are grateful that we have been chosen to hopefully receive enough food to feed our animals for 90 days. It makes a big difference in challenging circumstances."

Santa Paws is the brainchild of Networx3 and Networx3 Drones commercial director Caroline Earnshaw. She said: “Santa Paws 2020 is already off to a flying start with money pledged and boxes of food donated.

"This year it’s more important than ever before that we are able to make a difference to the animals that these vital charities help because they are some of the forgotten victims of the pandemic.

“I’m a self-confessed animal lover; I have four rescue dogs myself so it breaks my heart to think of animals going without. When I fill my car with hay for rabbits, dog treats and cat food and drop off bags and boxes of donations every year I know that Networx3 has done their bit to help.

“This year we’re going one better by starting early and giving ourselves a target of feeding all animals for 90 days – but we do need the public’s help.”

Every year Networx3’s Santa Paws appeal reaches out to the firm’s business network of staff, suppliers and associates with bags of dog biscuits, hay, cat beds and kitty litter pouring into their offices.

The Santa Paws annual charity appeal has been running since 2015 and has donated thousands of pounds of vital food and supplies to animal charities across Lancashire, Cheshire and Manchester.

This year’s chosen charities are East Lancashire RSPCA, Blackpool and North Lancashire RSPCA, Cheshire Dogs’ Home in Warrington, Furry Tails and Easterleigh Animal Sanctuary in Blackpool, Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary, and a Spanish animal rescue centre GPAR.