Long Sutton mum honours memory of daughter by running table top sale for dogs charity

A Long Sutton mother is honouring the memory of her daughter by attempting to raise money for a dog charity.

Animal lover Joanne Bruce (56) was sadly killed in a road accident in Portugal in September, shortly after getting charity status for her dog sanctuary.

Now her mum Maud Gillen is hoping to raise at least £200 to support her daughter’s charity by taking part in a table top sale in The Market House in Long Sutton on Friday, October 25, from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

Mrs Gillen said: “I am so proud of Joanne, she worked so hard. She was always rescuing animals. When she was a child, she once returned from a riding lesson with a mouse in her hat as a cat was going to eat it. Later she came back with a dog.

"When she moved to Spain she began rescuing dogs more or less fulltime."

Born in Scotland, Joanne had lived all over the country, including in Murrow, before moving to Spain with her husband Gordon.

While there she began to work with local police and residents in rescuing stray dogs with the hopes of finding them a forever home.

Qualified chef Joanne had bought some land in Portugal and was hoping to build a home after selling her home in Spain.

She had got permission to build a shelter and was sharing it with 26 dogs.

Now her husband and daughter Natasha are committed to keeping Joanne’s work with the Malcata Animal Association going.

Mrs Gillen said: “All of the money I raise on Friday will help Joanne’s dogs.

“We are going to be doing the table top sale with a tombola and a raffle for a headdress.

"Bring and buy would also be welcome."

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