A WOKINGHAM resident is taking on the double challenge of keeping her village tidy while saving a charity.
Jules Hawkey, who lives in Arborfield, is calling on residents to take part in her inaugural litter pick on Saturday, October 22, after noticing an increase in the amount of rubbish left in the area.
Besides making the village look neater, she is also raising funds for UK Boston Terrier Rescue, a charity which takes in abandoned dogs and those that can no longer be looked after.
According to Jules, the charity only has enough funds to survive for another six months.
Jules said: “It’s so important to me and my family. Covid definitely affected things. People got dogs in lockdown and now that they’re back at work, they can’t handle looking after a pet.
“We get calls at 3am from people asking to pick up their dog, otherwise they’ll just be left on the street and we get out of bed to collect them.
“So much work, so much time and so much effort has been put into [the charity]. To see it cease to exist would be devastating.
“The dogs are innocent. Without us, they have no-one to help them.”
The charity has been giving second chances to dogs who have had to be removed from their owners for one reason or another for the past 15 years.
Jules explained that unlike other rescue services, dogs retrieved by Boston Terriers Rescue are kept at the homes of adopters or foster carers.
Where required, they are also supported by trainers who help them overcome behavioural issues developed through trauma, which range from anxiety to being scared of male owners.
Without additional funding, substantial vet bills and transport costs could force the charity to close by April 2023.
Jules is the owner of two Boston Terriers, named Boscorelli and Beryl. She was keen to combine her love of animals with her pride for her village through her litter picks.
She said: “From lots of residents’ perspectives, the littering has been horrific lately. The lane behind our house has effectively been used as a dumping ground.
“Since the pandemic, there seems to be a general lack of respect for our area. There have definitely been more fly-tippings on the roadside.
“Anyone can take part in the litter picks. My daughter, who’s 12, will be helping me, my husband and other volunteers.”
Sessions are set to run on Saturdays and Sundays over the coming weeks. Depending on initial turnout, Jules hopes to start by covering the Garrison area, before moving further afield.
Prospective volunteers are asked to get in touch as soon as possible so appropriate equipment can be sourced.
Those turning up on the first day should meet at 11am by the Arborfield Garrison tennis courts.
To donate, visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jules-hawkey or to volunteer at a litter pick, contact: julesc28@hotmail.com
