Save Heaven's Gate Farm!

Aim

Our much-loved animal rescue facility Heaven's Gate Farm is at risk of closure following financial difficulties. Please help us save it!

On Monday 2nd September employees, volunteers and supporters at National Animal Welfare Trust’s Heaven’s Gate Farm were made aware that the centre is at risk of closure.

The entire community has been devastated by this news, and the possibility that they could lose this much-loved and well-used facility. Kind messages of support and incredibly generous offers of help soon came flooding in following the announcement, and the team have been completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of people who are desperate to help.

With so many people showing such amazing determination to save our centre, we know we must at least try to raise the astronomical figure needed to keep Heaven’s Gate running. 

More than 400 homeless and abandoned animals in the area rely on the rescue and rehoming service offered at this centre every year. 

As do the hundreds of people who use it to responsibly relinquish or rehome an animal. On top of that, it is a visitor hub to many in the community who simply enjoy spending time with beautiful animals. The loss of the facility will be a devastating blow to so many.

Therefore, this page has been created as an ‘All or Nothing’ crowdfunder, which means that your pledge will only be paid to the charity if we reach our target, which is set at the figure we need to keep the centre open. If we don't reach our target, your pledge will be returned to you.

The targets are based on the cost of running the centre, so our minimum target of £500,000 will keep Heaven’s Gate running for another six months, which gives us more time to try to develop a rescue package that can ensure the long-term future of the rescue centre, allowing it to continue to serve the community for many years to come.

We have an enormous mountain to climb, but this crowdfunder really could turn our fate around. We owe it to our animals, to our supporters, to our community and to every single one of our well-wishers to give this our all.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your unwavering support in these terribly upsetting times. It really does mean so much to everyone at Heaven’s Gate Farm. Thank you!

The centre is a lifeline to so many homeless and abandoned animals

Animals like Harry, one of our many resident sheep. With so few rescue centres accepting the variety of animals that we can at Heaven's Gate, the future of animals like Harry will be left uncertain without our centre here to help.

And dogs like Paddy. With some very specific needs, Paddy struggles around new people and there are very few people he will put his trust into. All of those people work or volunteer at Heaven's Gate Farm. Paddy will simply be lost without them!

It's so much more than 'just' an animal rescue centre!

Heaven's Gate is a haven, a sanctuary, a retreat, a place of safety, security and non-judgement for not just homeless and abandoned animals but also the people who understand the immense impact that time spent with animals can have on your mental well-being. It's a farm that more than lives up to the name 'Heaven's Gate'. Ultimately, it unites families with much-loved and slightly furrier family members like this little guy:

Please don't let a place that brings so much happiness to so many disappear from our community. We could all use a little happiness right now, and Heaven's Gate is one of those few tranquil places that you're guaranteed to find it!

Don't just take our word for it - check out some of the heartfelt messages of support from just a handful of people who have pledged to this campaign so far:

“I volunteer at this animal sanctuary, volunteering here has boosted my mental health and given me a purpose in life. All the staff and other volunteers are wonderful people who care about the animals so much. It is vital that we save Heaven's Gate because this is the best animal sanctuary in my local area.” Nathan Harmer-Taylor

“Heaven’s gate is a wonderful place with dedicated staff doing their very best for the animals. It is unique and it would be awful for it to close. Let’s all work together to make sure that doesn’t happen.” Gail Burt

“It would be tragic if you closed not only for the animals which are the priority but also the community. We have little community spirit now days but I feel animals do help to keep it.” Mrs Susan Canfield

“Here's hoping you reach your target. Without Heaven's Gate, we wouldn't have met Dylan and we couldn't imagine life without him now.” E M Starling

“To us Heaven’s Gate is more than a job. We are hugely privileged to meet & help amazing animals who need our care at crucial times. We love them as if they are our own & find them new brilliant homes with caring people where they can live the rest of their lives. The thought of us not being able to offer this lifeline to animals in the future is heart-breaking. Please help & donate what you can ❤️”Juliet Higgins

This project closed unsuccessfully on 18th October 2019