AN ANIMAL rescue centre is having a happier new year – thanks to the Surrey Mirror.
Valgrays Border Collie Rescue centre looks after not only stray and neglected dogs but also horses and cats.
Founder Val Phillips said she was "desperate" for old newspapers as bedding for her dogs – and that's when the Mirror stepped in.
We donated hundreds of back copies to the centre in Warlingham – enough to keep the cared-for dogs supplied for weeks to come.
Mrs Phillips said: "This is fantastic. The Surrey Mirror are lifesavers. It's very kind of you.
"Our kennels at the back can let in water when it rains heavily.
"It was so bad during last year's flooding that we couldn't even use the kennels. We need regular piles of newspapers to help keep our puppies dry."
She said they have a handful of people who regularly donate old newspapers, but the holiday season meant supplies dwindled.
Julian Mills, one of the centre's volunteers, came in to collect the precious consignment on Christmas Eve.
He was accompanied by Valgrays rescue dogs Molly and Busta, as well as his own dog Millie.
Mrs Phillips has saved and re-housed hundreds of unwanted and stricken animals since she took in her first dog back in 1976.
Among the success stories is Icey the dog, who got his name because he was found hours from death and stricken with hypothermia. Having been recovered from a dog pound in Romania, he was subsequently nursed to a remarkable recovery, culminating in winning first prize in a dog show in west Surrey.
In addition several of the dogs she and other volunteers have helped recover have taken part in agility competitions at Crufts.
