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RSPCA SNUBBED US, SAY SCHOOLGIRL FUND-RAISERS
(cutting Birmingham Post by Eileen Murphey 18/8/01)
A group of community-spirited youngsters has been left heartbroken after the RSPCA snubbed its fund-raising efforts.
The four youngsters, from St John's Middle School in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, held a sponsored pet walk after being given a school talk about a scheme to get children to carry out community or environmental schemes during the summer holidays.
The 12-year-old girls said the RSPCA refused the cash they raised because of a light-hearted remark inviting anyone - including people with goldfish in bags - to take part.
Rose Breen, mother of Lian, one of the group, said: "We told the RSPCA what the girls were going to do but they said they couldn't have anything to do with it because someone had suggested people bring a goldfish in a bag.
"That's just stupid. We only said it as a joke."
Another parent involved in the fund-raising, Hazel Burd, said: "I didn't believe this - none of us could. We have all been shunned and we are disgusted by it. "All the girls were working hard to raise money for them and for the animals.
What did the RSPCA think, that we were going to be cruel to animals? It's like a slap in the face."
One of the group, animal-lover Christine Weston, 12, said: "We were very upset and really angry."
The RSPCA has since decided to accept the £80 the girls raised - but they are now looking for another animal charity to which to give the money. RSPCA regional manager Mike Hartley said the goldfish remark was in bad taste and added: "We are very pleased for people to do voluntary work but we reserve the right to go into great detail about who is looking after the welfare of the animals taking part."/cutting ends