A 92-year-old widow touched the hearts of staff at a dog rescue centre with a note she sent after making a sweet donation to their charity. Last month Cwmbran 's Doris Cheadle gifted Hope Rescue in Llanharan £100 she'd raised by "baking cakes and making jam."
But it was the message she sent along with the money which also caught people's attention. It read: "I am gifting £100 which I have raised through baking and making preserves. I am 92 years of age and love dogs, although I am too old to have one now. I hope this helps."
In fact, the note affected those working at the centre so much they "couldn't not share it" on social media. And since that post appeared on the charity's Facebook page it's been liked more 2,000 times by dog lovers all over the country who were also deeply moved by the gesture. You can get more Cwmbran news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
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"Absolutely amazing, what a gift still to be thinking of others at that age - she's a great example to us all," wrote one, while another added: "How lovely this is - sitting here in tears right now." A third person commented: "What a beautiful thing to do - a special lady."
But it was nothing new for Doris who's spent most of her life trying to help disadvantaged animals. "I started working at an animal charity shop in Pontnewydd many years ago and have always kept dogs," said the retired secretary, who makes so much food for good causes her kitchen had to be inspected by the local council, earning it a five-star hygiene rating.
"I'd make jams, marmalades and bake cakes to raise money at various fetes and afternoon tea parties. And my husband Raymond, who died last year, would make pickled onions. Although I couldn't do those myself because I've got asthma."
Doris added that she still had fond memories of her and Ray's last two dogs, Bonnie and Mandy. "They were lovely clever little things, both lived to the ripe old age of 15. Mandy was the runt of her litter too - a mix of Corgi, Alsatian and Labrador. She'd even come camping with me whenever I helped out with a local Girl Guides group.
"She'd have her own little sleeping bag and tent and everyone would fuss her. I really miss having a dog of my own but I would struggle to walk one nowadays because of my mobility issues. Luckily though, everyone in my street who has a dog brings them round to see me each week. In fact, it's the dogs that end up dragging their owners here because they know they'll get treats from me."
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