15,000 names against Blue Cross closure

FELIXSTOWE: Protesters will gather tomorrow for the much-anticipated hand-over of The Evening Star's Save the Blue Cross campaign petition.

It is hoped a huge crowd will gather to mark the moment as officials from the charity receive the box containing signatures of supporters fighting to save the animal rescue home from closure.

The total number of names on the petition is currently more than 15,000 - and is rising by the day.

Former centre manager and volunteer Tom Crowley said the petition would be handed over at 3pm.

“We are hoping there will be a really big crowd come and join us to show how people feel about this dreadful proposal to close the centre,” he said.

“People should bring their banners, posters and placards, too.

“The petition has gone brilliantly and we are all thrilled with the number of signatures - it just shows that people are angry, upset and just cannot understand why the Blue Cross would want to stop helping animals in our area.”

Mr Crowley said the number of signatures was still growing.

“We are still collecting in the last forms and hopefully the final figure will be well over 15,000 by the time we present it,” he said.

Many people have also written letters to the Blue Cross headquarters to give officials their views.

The Blue Cross wants to close its centres in Walton and Northiam, Sussex, in order to open a new purpose-built centre in the north-west because it believes it can help more animals that way.

Chief executive Kim Hamilton said has said public opinion is “one of the important factors” which will be considered when the charity decides the centre's future, and also alternative proposals for keeping the centre in Felixstowe.

n Send us your messages of support for the Save the Blue Cross campaign - write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk