Rutland Farm Park has alunched an appeal for £5000 to help it through the winter and the country's third national lockdown.

Launched last week, the appeal is a third of the way day and has also been boosted by donations of food.

The park, which opened on Uppingham Road, Oakham, three years commented on its GoFundMe page : "Covid has been tough, not just us, but so many businesses and it's been ever so sad to see so many businesses close down."

Fundraiser organiser Amy Louise Brocklehurst-Ball continued: "As most of you know, Rutland Farm Park is a small family business. We are a traditional farm park who specialise in rare and native animal breed in a Victorian farm setting.

"We have so many exciting projects in mind but sadly with being closed we are not getting a stable income to keep up with the general work and animal care. Due to being closed for most of last year we did not generate our usual income to get us through the winter. Staff are furloughed of course, but paying for animal upkeep has to come from somewhere.

"With the awful weather we are getting, the grounds are flooded, the animals are inside demolishing hay like there is no tomorrow, and our geese are shut in due to Avian Bird flu. This means extra food expenses because we wouldn't normally buy them feed as they are free ranged around the farm. Our hay and straw is rapidly disappearing but we do not have any customer

To help Rutland Farm Park, go to the GoFundMe page here.

You can donated through the park's Amazon wish list but don't forget most items are all stocked locally Rutland Pet Supplies and SAPS Oakham.

They will also deliver to to the farm, which needs fresh food daily.