Deadline looming for centre closure

Felixstowe: Supporters of the Evening Star Save the Blue Cross campaign are stepping up a gear this week as the consultation on the closure proposal comes to an end.

Charity bosses say Friday is the final day for people to submit their views on the matter - and after that officials will be drawing up their final conclusions.

Many people have written to the charity, 16,000 signed the Evening Star petition, and nearly 8,000 have joined a Facebook site to voice their opinions, anger, hurt and disappointment.

Tom Crowley, former manager of the animal rescue centre in Walton High Street and one of its volunteer workers, said: “We would urge people to make sure they get their letters in by Friday.

“We want to thank everyone who has so far helped the campaign but we need to get as many letters in as possible to the Blue Cross chief executive, Kim Hamilton, by the deadline day.

“There is no doubt how the people of this area feel about what the Blue Cross is proposing - people do not want to see this centre closed and the wonderful work done by its staff lost to our community.

“The charity must change its plans and keep our centre open so it can continue that work.”

People should write to Blue Cross chief executive Kim Hamilton at Blue Cross head office, Shilton Road, Burford, Oxon OX18 4PF.

The Blue Cross says it has not yet fixed a date for a final decision.

It will firstly be analysing all the submissions made during the consultation period, then drawing up detailed reports outlining the final proposals, which will be presented at a meeting of the charity's governors.

It expects the meeting to be held at the end of March.

? Add your voice to the campaign - let us know your views on the Blue Cross closure proposals by writing to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or comment on-line at www.eveningstar.co.uk