Nunny’s pet farm in Lincolnshire is making a renewed appeal to the public in its bid to crowd-source £40,000 in funding, which it said, is required to keep the farm open.
The Grimsby-based pet farm, welcomes over 25,000 visitors annually who can meet and engage with the resident animals, many of whom arrived to the farm as rescues.
It set up a crowdfunding page on the website, justgiving, to “desperately” raise the funds required to keep the farm afloat through winter, after a year of economic challenges.
It has nearly reached the half way point of its fundraising campaign, with £15,014 already raised from more that 620 contributors.
“2024 has been a difficult year, financially, for everyone and Nunny’s Farm is no exception. With rising living costs impacting everyone, visits to the farm has understandably reduced and we now need your help to get through this winter.
“We are appealing to you openly about our situation because the farm is here for you, and it matters to all of us to keep the place going. We do not want this vital resource to have to face closure and be gone forever,” it said on the website.
The farm also offers a number of educational facilities, with 1,237 children from 38 different schools benefitting from their guided school tours in 2023.
The ‘Education Other Than At School’ package at Nunny’s Farm helps many local children who are struggling in mainstream education.
The farm provided work experience opportunities for over 25 students and volunteer spots for over 100 people each year, with over 50% of the cohort identifying as having additional support needs.
One young boy raised over £960 for the cause, following a sponsored walk around People’s Park on November 23, which involved 17 laps in the pouring rain, amounting to 9.5 miles.
Harry Humberston and his family were inspired to organise the sponsored walk after they were deeply “saddened” to hear the news of the potential risk to the farm’s closure.
“The farm is very special to us and we have lots of happy memories there. It is a lovely farm and the owners and volunteers work so hard, the animals are so well looked after they are more like pets.
“The volunteers are always so helpful and kind and giving of their time.
“It would be a great shame for the community to lose this gem. It brings so much to an area that needs this little bit of tranquility and great community spirit,” Harry’s mother, Ann Humberston, expressed online.
Harry’s humble efforts have inspired many more similar initiatives from the Grimsby community which have rallied together to save the beloved farm before the end of year.
