THE coffers of Saltburn Animal Rescue Association have been boosted by four recent donations - £534 from a coffee morning held in Sunnyfield House, Guisborough; £38 from the Liverton Mines gala and £180 from a "dog viewing" event at Saltburn bandstand.

In addition, a group of animal lovers helped Sara move closer to its goal of building a home for stray cats and dogs in the area. Cathy and Helen Southall, Gina Oliver and Joanne Harris visited pubs in Saltburn, Marske, Guisborough and Redcar dressed as cats to raise more than £700.

A New Year's Day dip in the icy waters off Saltburn pier was also set to boost funds.

Anne Prosser, chairwoman of Sara, said the charity was halfway to reaching its target, with £150,000 already raised, and had begun to look for suitable sites for the sanctuary.

She said: "It has taken us four years to raise this amount. We don't want to take another four years to get the rest. We want it in two.

"We have looked at three sites already and we have been in touch with the council and estate agents. We are looking, though we have not got all the money we need.

"We are seriously considering getting a mortgage."

The haven would ideally be situated on an old farm and would operate a "no destruction" policy. Only very sick or dangerous animals would be put to sleep.

Mrs Prosser added: "What comes across is that the more we do, the more we have seen the need for a sanctuary.

"We have 32 dogs and puppies and 24 cats and kittens in foster care at the moment. I have never known numbers like it."

Sara's next fundraising events take place on Saturday, January 10, when supporters will pack bags at Morrison's store in Redcar; and two weeks later, when there will be bag-packing at Marske Co-op.

The next meeting will take place at 7.30 on Wednesday in the Toc H premises in Albert Terrace