“YOU pulled out all the stops” – that’s how an animal sanctuary boss said the people of Oxfordshire reacted to her appeal for help.

Debbie Heath, chairman of Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary, said the financial support it received saved the 40-year-old charity from closing.

She thanked people during its annual open day in Stadhampton on Sunday, a year after she made the plea for help.

The event included an animal blessing service, by chaplain the Rev Hedley Feast.

Mrs Heath, 56, said: “Thankfully, the people of Oxfordshire saved us, they pulled out all the stops.

“We had money coming in from everybody, old age pensioners walked up the drive and gave us money on their pension day...it was phenomenal.

“We need to say a big thank-you to the people of Oxfordshire, and from further afield.”

In July last year, the sanctuary announced it was just days from closure, because of a funding crisis.

Trustees warned hundreds of animals would have to be put down if it folded.

People raised enough money for the sanctuary to keep going and, in December, a house in Walton Well Road, Oxford, left to the sanctuary by Vivian Kirk, was sold and raised about £450,000.

However, Mrs Heath urged people to keep donating regularly to ensure the future of the centre, which costs about £600,000 a year to run.

She said: “What we’re trying to do is build up the sanctuary.

“We had such poor finances we couldn’t afford to do the sanctuary up so a lot of it has become quite run-down. There are areas that we will look towards improving over the years.

“What I am hoping for is that our members and some of the people of Oxfordshire will donate monthly for us – if we know we have the monthly money coming in we can build on that.”

Husband Ron Heath, 62, manager at the centre, said: “We are a lot more positive than we were last year.”

More than 200 people turned out for its open day, where owners could bring their dogs adopted from the centre.

Stephen Green, of Yarnton, said: “It’s nice to know that people have rallied around to support the sanctuary and that somebody is looking after the animals.”

For more information about the sanctuary and to make a donation, see its website or call 01865 890239.