AN OPPORTUNITY to get to grips with a real page turner is on offer to customers of Wokingham supermarket.
The Tesco store in Finchampstead Road has created a new charity bookshelf, aimed at helping a charity that rehabilitates abandoned horses.
Saving Abandoned Fly-Grazing Equines (SAFE) began in 2014 when 38 horses and ponies were left abandoned in a Binfield field.
Since then, it has helped hundreds of animals that have been abandoned or neglected.
In May and June, donations received for items on the community bookshelf will go to SAFE’s work.
Louise Jedras, Community Champion at the Tesco Superstore, said: “SAFE really are an amazing charity. Without their dedication and hard work, many horses and ponies would not go on to have the wonderful lives they do.
“Our fundraising bookshelf has many benefits – it prevents unwanted books going into landfill, benefits a local charity, and keeps adults and children reading for whatever amount of money they wish to donate.
“My colleagues and I keep the bookshelf looking neat and tidy throughout the week, and I keep it topped up with some of the bigger donations of books I have received. The goblet of donations is emptied regularly so we can keep an eye on how much is being raised.”
She encouraged customers to have browse or make donations of books for others to enjoy.
“The bookshelf is located near the foodbank drop-off point by the checkouts. For larger donations of books, please take those to the customer service desk,” she said.
The horses that come into the care of SAFE have a range of health issues. They are also often frightened and timid, having had little or no human contact. The volunteers look after them, gain their trust over time and, with the help of vets and farriers, nurse them back to health.
Kate Jeater, volunteer at SAFE, said: “The money raised from the Tesco book sales will be crucial in helping us pay for our ongoing medical bills for horses still recovering from neglect.
“It will also go towards some lovely new fly-masks, which protect the horses from summer flies around their face, in particular their eyes, and will allow us to be able to support horses needing rehabilitation, as well as transport costs.
“With any horse care there are ongoing bills such as feed, hay, bedding, wormers, farriers and a visit from the horse dentist. As we are a charity funded solely by donations and run by volunteers, any additional fundraising activities such as the Tesco book stall helps us enormously.”
Every two months, funds raised by the Finchampstead Road Superstore’s bookshelf are donated to a local good cause. The inaugural nominated charity was Kaleidoscopic, which received £262 towards buying information books for children and adults who are surviving domestic violence.
Further information about SAFE is available at www.safe-horses.co.uk
