HOUSEBUILDER Barratt Homes Exeter has donated £1,000 each to two Devon-based animals’ charities, Animal in Distress and the North Devon Animal Ambulance as part of its Community Fund initiative.

Rowana Rowan, communications co-ordinator and fundraiser for Animals in Distress, said: ‘The Animals in Distress Rescue Centre in Ipplepen is absolutely delighted to have received this incredibly generous donation of £1,000 from Barratt Homes.

‘As a small local charity, we rely almost entirely on the kindness and generosity of our local community and local businesses such as Barratt Homes to enable us to help hundreds of unwanted, lost, abandoned or neglected animals every year.

‘This donation will go a very long way to helping many animals in need with food and urgent veterinary costs.

‘On behalf of everyone at Animals in Distress, thank you so much to Barratt Homes for your amazing support.’

Jane Dennis-Smither, treasurer for the North Devon Animal Ambulance, said: ‘We are committed to the welfare of animals in North Devon, caring for and providing treatment for the sick and injured and rehoming unwanted pets as well as releasing healthy wildlife back into its own habitat.’

Nicki Reid, sales director for Barratt Homes Exeter, said: ‘We are extremely passionate about supporting the communities in which we work and are delighted to have donated to the North Devon Animal Ambulance and Animals in Distress.

‘The work they do to help Devon’s beloved pets and wildlife is incredibly important and I would like to thank both charities, on behalf of everyone at Barratt Homes, for all that they do.’