25/06/2025
Please can you help us with our GoFundMe fundraiser
https://gofund.me/e49e6ae5
Help Critters Community Network Build a Bigger Hub for Rotherham's Families in Need
In the heart of our community, a small shipping container on Hellaby Industrial Estate holds more than just supplies; it holds a lifeline for hundreds of local families and their beloved pets. This is the current base of operations for Critters Community Network CIC, a dedicated team of volunteers working tirelessly to support those hit hardest by financial hardship in Rotherham and the surrounding areas.
We are reaching out to you today with an urgent plea for help. The demand for our services has grown beyond the capacity of our humble shipping container, and to continue our vital work, we need to secure a larger, more suitable base of operations.
Who We Are and What We Do
Critters Community Network is a registered Community Interest Company providing essential support to individuals and families facing financial struggles. We believe that no one should have to choose between feeding their family, their pets, or themselves. We currently provide:
- Pet Food: Keeping beloved companions healthy and in their loving homes.
- Baby Items: Nappies, wipes, formula, and other essentials for the youngest members of our community.
- Clothing: For all ages, providing warmth and dignity.
- Hygiene Products: Basic necessities that are often out of reach for those in crisis.
Every week, we see the real-world impact of our work in the relieved smiles of parents and the wagging tails of cherished pets. We are a safety net for many, and we are proud to serve our community.
The Challenge We Face
Our current home, a single shipping container, is bursting at the seams. While we are incredibly grateful for this space, it presents significant challenges:
- Limited Storage: We are sometimes forced to turn away larger donations of essential items due to a lack of space.
- Difficult Access: Operating from a storage yard makes it challenging for our clients, many of whom lack transport, to reach us.
- Inadequate Facilities: We have no dedicated space to sort donations, organise packages, or meet with clients in a confidential and dignified manner, it is also not hygienic enough for a human food bank
To put it simply, we have outgrown our container. To meet the ever-increasing demand and to continue to serve our community effectively, we need a bigger, more accessible home.
Our Vision for the Future
With your support, we can secure a new, larger base of operations and storage area. This will be a game-changer for Critters Community Network and the people we help. A new facility will allow us to:
- Accept More Donations: A larger space means we can say "yes" to more generous offers of support.
- Improve Accessibility: We aim to find a location that is easier for our clients to access.
- Add a Human Food Bank to Our Services: Having an area that is more fit for purpose would allow us to expand our services.
- Create a Community Hub: A proper base will allow us to create a welcoming environment for our clients and volunteers.
- Increase Our Impact: We will be able to help more people, more efficiently.
How Your Donation Will Be Used
We are aiming to raise £2,500 to make this vision a reality. Your generous donation will be used for two primary purposes:
1. Securing a New Base: Funds will go directly towards the deposit, rent, and initial setup costs of a new, larger facility in the Rotherham area.
2. Purchasing Essential Items: While we rely heavily on donations, there are some items we consistently need and cannot always source. We have an account with InKindDirect, a charity that allows us to purchase new, essential goods at a fraction of their retail price. Your donation will help us stock our shelves with these vital items.
Every Little Bit Helps
A donation of any amount will make a tangible difference:
- £5 could help us purchase essential hygiene products for a family for a week.
- £10 could provide a week's worth of pet food for a beloved animal companion.
- £25 could contribute to the deposit on a new, safe, and accessible space for our community.
Please, Join Our Community of Support
We are a small organisation with a big heart, and we cannot do this alone. Your support will not just help us find a new building; it will help us build a stronger, more resilient community in Rotherham.
Please donate today and share our campaign with your friends, family, and colleagues. Together, we can give Critters Community Network the home it deserves, and in doing so, provide a beacon of hope for those who need it most.
Thank you for your generosity and for believing in the power of community.
Follow our journey and see the impact of your donation on our social media:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1AcptdKobV/
Bank Details for Direct Donations
Name: Critters Kitchen C.I.C.
Sort Code: 82-11-07
Account Number: 80314173
Please put Paw-sitive or Donation as a reference
Help Critters Community Network Build a Bigger Hub for Rotherham's Famili… Christopher Walker needs your support for Make A Paw-sitive Impact: Help CCN Expand
