Supporters of a popular animal rescue charity have actually responded with anger after it was landed with a £50 Clean Air Zone fine after taking a trip to Sheffield for a fundraising occasion.
Thornberry Animal Sanctuary took a trip to Sheffield city centre last weekend to attempt to raise essential funds for its work.
Volunteers utilized a horse box to carry a little pony, Chester, to The Moor for members of the general public to come along and animal and discover more about the work of the charity, which runs an animal sanctuary in Dinnington, Rotherham.
But after the check out, the sanctuary was landed with a £50 Clean Air Zone fine.
The charity published about the fine on its Facebook page and explained how every cent raised by the charity is essential.
It said: “Huge thank you to everyone that came to see us on The Moor in Sheffield. After we paid the £50 clean air charge to the council for taking the horse box into the town centre we managed to make £261 in generous donations.
“Chester really enjoyed all the attention and his hay net. Every penny you drop into our collection boxes goes directly to the costs of running the sanctuary. We really appreciate all the support and hope to see as many of you as possible at our summer fair next Saturday (July 1st)at our site in Ravenfield ( Moor Lane North).”
In reaction, Sue Gott published: “I’ve just donated £50 to cover the cost of the charge so you can use all the funds you collected. It’s outrageous that they’d charge a charity especially when times are so hard.
“I couldn’t bear the thought that you’d had to take £50 out of the collection. I’m happy to help. You do an amazing job in difficult circumstances.”
Alan Darwin included: “Sheffield Council hang your heads in shame!!”
Some questioned the sense of the Clean Air Zone, which was introduced previously this year in a quote to decrease contamination.
Susan Wass Yeates composed: “Let me get this right, so SCC you are still allowing in the vehicles that you say cause the pollution, so you’re not that concerned about the environment, its just another money making racket and it’s disgraceful.”
Diane Shutt included: “I can’t see how the clean air charge does any good apart from making the council lots of money. If you pay your money to drive into the city centre, it doesn’t magically make your car cleaner, you’re still polluting the air so it’s not making any difference. What a con.”
Suzanne Marshall published: “Sheffield City Council You need to refund Thornberry all the charges they have paid…they are a charity!!!”
Emma Packham included: “Disgraceful Sheffield City Council! I will be emailing to ask for your charge to be refunded…it is disgusting that a charity should have to pay this fee.”
It looks for permanently houses for the animals through adoptions.
