Enjoy the sparkling streets of Plymouth city centre this Christmas
18th November 2020
OM Magazine, Issue 140, December 2020
25th November 2020
While Christmas plans are gobbled up for many of us this year, two ‘plucky’ turkeys know exactly where they’ll be spending the festive season, after being rescued by a Plympton animal sanctuary.
The portly pair has been saved from the jaws of despair by staff at Woodside Animal Welfare Sanctuary, after they outgrew their previous home.
Staff at the Sanctuary have named the duo Paul and Linda McTurkey, in honour of the legendary Sir Paul McCartney, who supported the work of Woodside in memory of his late wife Linda, an animal rights activist and vegetarian.
Any talk of a traditional turkey feast is firmly off the table at the Sanctuary, where the blessed birds will be joining what is expected to be a record number of Brits tucking into a Vegan dinner this Christmas.
Sanctuary manager Helen LeCointe explained that the young turkeys had been kept as pets at their previous home in Plymouth.
However they grew bigger than their owners had expected and were making a break into neighbours’ gardens.
In a bid to curtail their great escapes, the birds’ owners looked to rehome them but, with Christmas looming, were in a flap about their possible festive fate.
So they contacted Woodside, where staff stuck their neck out to help.
Helen said: “The owners contacted us for help as they didn’t want them, as they put it, ‘ending up as Christmas lunch.’”
Woodside carer Kelly Beutner added: “They are so friendly, have huge characters and their chirps sound like the laser guns at laser tag. They are awesome!”
Woodside was one of a handful of charities to receive a grant from Sir Paul McCartney in memory of his late wife Linda some years ago. In a letter to the charity at the time, The Beatles vocalist and bassist wrote “…thanks for the invaluable work you do on behalf of our animal friends.”
And the McTurkeys have proved that All You Need Is Love, as Paul and Linda settle into their new surroundings among the 140-plus animals currently being cared for at the Sanctuary.
Woodside founder Carole Bowles said the charity was facing the toughest time in its history due to Covid, as funding plummets and demand to help animals in need rises.
Staff are working tirelessly to help these animals but desperately need the public’s support to get through the crisis.
Carole said: “We have had ups and downs in the past but nothing like this, it is very, very concerning.
“We need all the support we can get to keep our doors open, especially as the ones of our charity shops have been forced to close.”
To sponsor a Woodside animal or find out how you can support the charity please visit www.woodsidesanctuary.org.uk or call 01752 347503.
