Rita and I care about animal welfare, and one of the local organisations I am pleased to support is Hull Animal Welfare Trust.
The Trust looks after cats and dogs that need care, safety and, hopefully, a new home. Some animals arrive through no fault of their own. Some need time, patience and confidence building. Others simply need the right people to give them a fresh start.
My own involvement is practical rather than glamorous. I help with dog walking, which often means coming back a bit manky, muddy and looking as if I have had just as much exercise as the dog. But that is part of the appeal. It is useful, straightforward work, and it gives the dogs time out, fresh air and a bit of normality.
I have also helped with some IT assistance where I can. After many years working in IT and operations, it is good to use those skills in a setting where they can make a practical difference. Charities still need systems, records, communication, websites, equipment and admin to work properly — often with limited time and limited resources.
That is one of the things I respect about Hull Animal Welfare Trust. A lot of the work happens quietly behind the scenes. It is not just about the nice adoption photos. It is the cleaning, feeding, walking, care, vet visits, paperwork, fundraising, organisation and daily commitment that keep everything moving.
Our own greyhound, Jack, is a constant reminder that animals all have their own characters, routines and quirks. They need patience, safety and people prepared to understand them as individuals. That makes it easy to value the work rescues do every day.
For me, volunteering is not about making a big statement. It is about helping where I can, being useful, and supporting a local charity doing work that matters.
Rita and I are pleased to support Hull Animal Welfare Trust because it is local, practical and focused on giving cats and dogs the care and chance they deserve.