A Sanctuary for Both Animals & People
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
Yesterday, Sunday 19th of July, Greyhounds, Golden Oldies and Friends (GGO & Friends) opened their doors for their big fundraising push of the year, and it was glorious. We went along with the Mayor and Mayoress of Cheadle to discover more about this remarkable charity.
Hidden away in a private corner of Staffordshire Moorlands, GGO & Friends provides a permanent home for dogs and more. "We rescue mainly elderly animals: dogs, goats, sheep, and ponies. Most of them have not had a very nice life, and then they come to us for the rest of their days, really, to be happy. They're in a nice, tranquil, peaceful environment, and they can enjoy the rest of their days with us."
Meet the Lovely Residents
Diane explained that the dogs aren't in kennels, they are very much part of the family and when we met were mostly fast asleep in their baskets, sensibly staying out of the heat on this another very sunny Sunday. She introduced her to the two who had joined her a beautiful little spaniel (pictured in our main image) who was terrified of everyone when she arrived. Many hadn't lived in a house and not used to people being kind to them or being comfortable.
The goats are James and Jeremy, Bramble and Moo plus three more. Sue one of the volunteers told us that she feed the goats, give them their hay and put them to bed at night, quite a nice little task she said. All the hay get sorted in the big barn and there is a lot of sweeping up too.
Raising Funds...
Activities happening on the day included the sale of their beautiful greeting cards and calendars featuring their lovely residents and their gardens. Very reasonably priced, they are always on offer in their little shop. Although yesterday was their main fundraiser for the year, they do host afternoon teas, Christmas carol suppers, and more. They are a registered charity but are quite small and are not in the public eye because of the nature of what they do. "People are very welcome, but it has to be by appointment," Diane said.
The Beautiful Garden & Volunteers
Pictured: The paved garden with raised bed and pots. If you're on the waiting list for an allotment, volunteering here could be a great taste of the activity!
It's a wonderful place for people too, with a beautiful garden and opportunities for volunteers in all kinds of roles. They have a small core of about 6 people but are actively seeking more, especially to help with the garden and with their IT/website. Diane told us that it would be perfect for people who might be physically fit but mentally or emotionally struggling. Being close to nature and animals has a calming effect, and this is the sort of place where calm is king. It has to be because the residents need it, and the humans benefit too.
We asked Diane what makes a good volunteer for them and she told us, "Someone who is dedicated and can appreciate that the animals have had bad times, so they have to be aware to be gentle, calm, and kind because most have had bad lives previously. They're happy now, but you've always got to be aware of that. And it can be a long process for the animals to recover."
Diane would like to be able to do more but as they are just a small band of people they need more people to grow. They are hoping to do open gardens for the charity. "There is something for everyone here, caring for the animals, and the garden is great for people to come and sit and enjoy an afternoon tea. There is no upper age limit but it's not suitable for children to help." Diane told us.
Please contact Diane for more information. https://ggoandfr.com/contact-us/
The Shop...
If you want to connect to the services they offer, or if you'd like to help, the friendly folk will be happy to assist via the website https://ggoandfr.com/
A Sanctuary for Both Animals & People
