Three local boys, Alex Hourston, Harry Mellor and James Everard who all attend King Edward’s School in Bath, were the first to take part in the Young Fundraisers Challenge for Bath Cats and Dogs Home which launched earlier this month.

Alex and Harry recently ran a stall selling homemade lemonade, cookies and doughnuts and raised an impressive £91. They also donated 40 old tennis balls for the dogs to play with at the rescue centre.

Alex is planning more fundraising for the charity this summer and James is planning a sponsored silence as part of the charity's Young Fundraisers Challenge. All three boys came to Bath Cats and Dogs Home recently to collect their certificates and meet rescue dog Horace. The boys all have much-loved pet dogs at home, James has an adopted rescue dog from Romania, Harry has a Cocker Spaniel and Alex has a Golden Retriever and a King Charles Cavalier.

This summer, Bath Cats and Dogs Home is inviting young animal lovers to jump into action in the school holidays and take on the charity’s Young Fundraisers Challenge. The aim is for school aged children to raise funds to support the care of cats and dogs at their local animal rescue centre while having fun with their family or friends.

The challenge is running throughout the school holidays and is open to all. To find out more about how local families can take part visit www.bcdh.org.uk/events and click on the Young Fundraisers Challenge.

Katy Goodship, Community and Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser at Bath Cats and Dogs Home, said: “Our congratulations to Alex, Harry and James on their brilliant fundraising efforts, the money raised will help us provide much-needed care for our rescue cats and dogs.

“Whatever children can raise doing this Challenge will make a difference, especially now during the animal welfare crisis where running costs and demand for rescue services are sky high. Even £20 will fund a mini-medical pack for a new cat or dog arriving at Bath Cats and Dogs Home, giving them their essential flea and worm treatment. All fundraisers will receive a Certificate to show what a fundraising superhero they are.”

Mrs Rebecca Hourston, Alex’s mum, said: “Alex is a really keen animal lover. He is a big fan of David Attenborough and Steve Backshall who he recently saw talk at The Forum in Bath. Alex has been fundraising for animal welfare charities every summer for several years now including the RSPCA, RSPB, the Madagascar Flora and Fauna Group and now Bath Cats and Dogs Home. We’re delighted that he and his friends Harry and James are supporting our local animal rescue centre, well done to them all.”

The Claverton-based charity cares for over seven hundred animals a year and serves all of Bath and North-East Somerset and West Wiltshire.