FEBRUARY 2025
We are delighted to announce that the Minorfern Foundation has recently awarded grants to an incredible local charity: Brinsley Wildlife Rescue.
Please see below photos and a personal reflection from our People Strategist, Andrea, who had the pleasure of presenting the cheque.
"What can I say? Today was a good day… I had the lovely job of meeting with Jon Beresford, who along with his partner Bethan, set up the Brinsley Animal Rescue in 2007. The rescue centre and sanctuary are based at their home, and 22 acres at two sites are donated to the charity free of charge. They must raise £2,000 per week to keep the centre running; these funds provide the animals’ food, bedding, veterinary costs, and expenditure for housing, etc. As they are all volunteers and the premises are donated free of charge, the funding is spent directly on animals.
Jon did prepare me before I went over to see them that it would be muddy, and it certainly was, but happy as a pig in mud, I met Jemima. This little girl had fallen out of a trailer onto the A38 when she was rescued as a little piglet. She came over to see if I had any food, I suspect, but to say hello too. Then I met Freddie, a black cow with a twisted jaw, so his tongue sticks out to one side. He struggles to eat because the food falls out of his mouth; after being shown how to feed him, he gratefully took a banana from me. I was amazed how tall he was, but Jon said we only see cows in fields that are a year old; they grow a lot bigger than Freddie. Then I met Gracie, a beautiful cow who unfortunately has cataracts, so is blind; she has adapted really well and loves a good scratch behind her ears.
Jon is an absolute font of knowledge and adores all the rescued animals that are brought to their door. That morning alone, they had volunteers go out to an injured fox, buzzard, and pigeon. Not all animals survive, but if they do make it and fully recover, they either get released back into the wild or they are rehomed after full checks are done.
So, if you can give a cat, rabbit, goat, chicken, or even a pig a home, please think about these guys first. All animals deserve a chance to live their best lives."
- Andrea
Brinsley Animal Rescue
Brinsley Animal Rescue rescues pets, wild animals and farm animals, its aim is to re home pets and farm animals into life-long loving homes and release wild animals back into the wild. Where they cannot rehome pets and farm animals, they provide them with permanent sanctuary.
The charity has no paid staff and its premises, land, buildings, utilities and fuel are donated by the founders to the charity free of charge. Therefore, all of the money raised for the Charity goes directly into helping animals by paying for food, bedding, treatment and vets bills.
November 2024
We are pleased to announce that the Minorfern Foundation has recently awarded grants to two incredible local charities: Babbington Dog Rescue and Fairplay, both in Derbyshire. These grants are part of the Minorfern Foundation’s continued dedication to supporting impactful community initiatives in the region.
Photo: Staff and young people at Fairplay accepting their grant.
Fairplay: Supporting Young People with Disabilities
Fairplay is a charity committed to improving the lives of young people with disabilities in North Derbyshire. The charity offers a range of activities and support services designed to empower young people, from social clubs and holiday schemes to bespoke programs that develop life skills and promote independence. Fairplay’s work helps to break down barriers and create opportunities for young people to participate fully in their communities.
The funding from the Minorfern Foundation will enable Fairplay to expand its activities and offer more young people the chance to benefit from their transformative programs, improving their quality of life and providing them with valuable experiences.
Photo: Andrea from SDL Minorfern presenting a cheque to Babbington Dog Rescue.
Babbington Dog Rescue: Giving Dogs a Second Chance
Babbington Dog Rescue, established in 1993, is dedicated to rescuing and rehoming dogs in need. With a non-destruction policy, Babbington rehomes over 600 dogs annually, with nearly 10,000 dogs successfully placed in loving homes since its inception. The charity’s vital work relies on boarding kennels, public donations, and the support of volunteers, all working tirelessly to provide care for the dogs until they find their forever homes.
The Minorfern Foundation’s grant will help Babbington continue its essential work, supporting the care of rescued dogs and helping to fund its operations, ensuring that more dogs can be saved and rehomed.
August 2024
We are delighted to announce that the Minorfern Foundation has recently awarded grants to two remarkable local charities: Ben's Den in Derbyshire and Stairfoot Foodbank in South Yorkshire. These latest contributions are part of Minorfern Foundation's ongoing commitment to supporting high-impact charitable organisations in their communities.
Photo: Employees at the SDL Minorfern Ilkeston branch handing a cheque over to the Ben’s Den Team.
Ben’s Den: Creating Joy for Children with Serious Illnesses
Ben's Den is a charity founded in memory of Ben Parker, who passed away from leukaemia in 2003. Established in March 2004 by his parents, the charity supports families of children battling cancer or leukaemia by offering free caravan holidays.
Ben, diagnosed with leukaemia at age 10, showed remarkable courage throughout his treatment, inspiring those around him until his passing at age 13. His parents, having experienced the emotional and financial strain of dealing with childhood cancer, founded Ben’s Den to provide families with opportunities to create lasting memories away from hospital environments.
The charity now operates seven caravans, including one adapted for wheelchair access, at Golden Sands in Mablethorpe and Tattershall Lakes near Sleaford, and has provided over 1500 families with much-needed breaks.
The Foundation’s support will allow more families to benefit from these invaluable breaks, offering them comfort and happiness during challenging times.
Photo: Julie Salter from SDL Minorfern handing a cheque over to the Stairfoot Foodbank Team.