AN award-winning Post Office in Andover hosted a Valentine's Day raffle, where the proceeds were donated to a local, self-funded wildlife rehabilitator.
Leslie Francis, owner of Enham Alamein’s Post Office, worked with her customers to raise money for Emily’s Animals Wildlife Rescue, which started as a passion before becoming a full-time job for Emily.
Raffle prizes consisted of various Valentine-themed goodies, as well as alcoholic beverages, toiletries and sweets.
Tickets to enter the prize draw were £1 and the entrants collectively managed to raise £515, which was subsequently presented to Emily.
Leslie said: “Emily is a wonderful young lady who for years has helped rescue, rehabilitate and save so many wildlife creatures. Her love for all things nature now means Emily is the ‘go-to’ for anything in need. She also works with Wiltshire Wildlife rescue and is well known in Enham Alamein and surrounding areas and is all self-funded which is amazing.
"We thought we could help, and Sue said, "Valentine’s is about love and Emily loves animals" so our Valentine’s raffle generously supported by our wonderful customers and community resulted in £515 to help her continue.”
Leslie and husband Tim have known Emily since birth and generously gift her bird feed every month, to ease the outgoing costs for some of the animals in her care.
Since 2004, Leslie and her husband Tim have become valued assets to the town. Their most notable accolade was being rewarded with a BEM in 2023, for the difference they have made and their ongoing contributions to the community.
The couple also raise money for the Enham Trust, Macmillan and have made their store a foodbank drop off point, for those who want to donate.
Emily’s Animals Wildlife Rescue also continues to grow, with a Facebook following of 1,100 individuals who are interested in the frequent updates she posts about the animals in her care.