TAKEN FROM TODAYS JOURNAL:A VETERAN charity volunteer has pledged to continue his vital fundraising work in 2012 ... despite problems caused by moving his makeshift cafe to a new location.
Dedicated Derek Hepple, 70, says takings have dipped and he is faced with increased logistical problems since switching his homemade catering operation from the driveway of his home to a public car park across the road, on the Northumberland coastline.
The former police officer raised more than £10,000 for dog rescue charity SHAK by selling hot drinks and scones every Sunday from two caravans parked on the driveway of his home in Marine Drive, Seaton Sluice.
But a year ago he was cut back to just two Sundays a month by council bosses following complaints from his next-door neighbour about the scale of his fundraising activities.
The decision – which only gave him temporary permission for another 12 months – resulted in less money for SHAK and worries that he could be stopped altogether.
Later a new compromise was reached under which Derek was allowed to resume running the cafe every Sunday and Bank Holiday, but had to move it to the nearby car park.
The new arrangement has now been running for 10 weeks and he admits that business has been slow – with weekly takings of between £110 and £140 compared with the £250 he was making for the charity from his driveway.
Yesterday Derek said: “I used to have the two caravans on my drive, which passers-by couldn’t miss, but now I only have one caravan in the car park, and I’m behind a bit of a hill.
“It was horrendously quiet when I first moved over, but that is also to do with the time of year.
“Every Sunday I have to tow the caravan across to the car park, open the barrier and physically wheel two portable generators over and power them up. It is a lot more work and hassle than it used to be. I have had lots of people say they thought I had given up, but I’m still here every Sunday from 7.30am until it gets dark.”
Derek raises funds for Bedlington-based SHAK – Safe Homes and Kindness – which rescues abandoned, mistreated and sick dogs that would otherwise be put to sleep.
He said: “They currently have about 70 dogs to look after so income and funding is needed more than ever.”
Anyone who wants to support SHAK should visit www.shak.org.uk, SHAK
YOU CAN SUPPORT DEREK AND US TOMORROW AS HE IS OPEN AT FOUNTAINHEAD CAR PARK, SEATON SLUICE.
http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2011/12/31/seaton-sluice-charity-volunteer-still-fundraising-for-shak-61634-30036689/