Pet carer and dog walker from Market Deeping sells 'unwanted junk' to raise money for Three Counties Dog Rescue in Bourne

A pet care specialist who has lost 90 per cent of her business during the lockdown has refocused her efforts on raising money for a dog rescue charity.

Laura Edwards, 32, from Market Deeping, decided to sell a few odds and ends online to help support Three Counties Dog Rescue in Bourne.

But having advertised what she was doing on social media, she was swiftly inundated with offers of more bric-a-brac, books, DVDs and other items to sell on.

Before long she had enough to set up a small stall at the end of her garden with an honesty pot, while selling larger items on eBay and Facebook.

“I’ve had some weird and wonderful stuff, including a zimmer frame and a brand new Vax carpet cleaner!” said Laura, who has raised more than £800 in two weeks.

“I’m amazed at how it’s taken off - I’m well on the way to raising £1,000 just by selling other people’s junk. It’s been wonderful.”

Laura, who lives with her mum Sharon, three dogs Tess, Nell and Flo, and three hamsters Holly, Hope and Seth on Deene Close, set up Happy Tails back in 2017.

“I look after anything with a face!” she said. “I just love animals. We have hamsters stay here for their holidays, birds, chickens, anything that needs looking after really.

“I’ve lost 90 per cent of my business now though because obviously no one is going on holiday, everyone is working from home and there is social distancing. I’ve lost everything really, I’m on Universal Credit now and feeling the effects of all this.”

She said she had been feeling both upset and directionless until she happened upon the idea of selling unwanted items to support the dog rescue charity.

“It’s given me a new sense of purpose and something to focus on,” said Laura.

To donate items email happytails2017@hotmail.com or check out the Happy Tails 2017 page on Facebook.

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