We are delighted to announce that we raised nearly £2,500 for Leicester Animal Aid (L.A.A) with the launch of Barrie’s Supper Club.

With more than 100 guests in attendance, the very first ‘Barrie’s Supper Club’ event took place on Tuesday 13 August 2024 at The Lancaster Arms in Desford. Guests enjoyed food, a live musician, a raffle and an auction, raising a grand total of £2,485 for the charity.

Funds raised during the evening will go towards helping L.A.A. care for more than 300 cats and dogs each year who are lost, abandoned, neglected, unwanted or relinquished because their owners can no longer look after them. Their vision is happy pets in loving, responsible homes.

Barrie Stephen said: “As well as a passion for hair, I also have a lifelong passion for animal welfare, so I was delighted to launch Barrie’s Supper Club to help raise funds for this incredible charity. I am so proud of the amount we raised during the evening and I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone for coming and to the many local businesses for supporting our raffle and auction. I look forward to the next event later this year!”

Helen Wilber, Fundraising Manager at L.A.A, added: “Barrie’s Supper Club is a great idea and the first one was clearly a big success. Barrie has been our ambassador for more than five years now and in this time he has raised thousands of pounds for cats and dogs. His events are always special, upbeat occasions and they are a great opportunity for like-minded pet lovers to get to know the charity and each other. We’re so pleased to have Barrie as our ambassador. We’d also like to thank The Lancaster Arms for putting on such a lovely evening.”

Barrie became Ambassador for Leicester Animal Aid in 2018. Since taking up the role, he has worked to raise the charity’s profile, including the organisation of multiple fundraising events, such as sponsored dog walks and even a dog talent show.

As Ambassador, Barrie has not only raised funds, he has helped the charity promote long-stay animals and judged dog shows at fundraising events. Barrie has also given some of his time to the charity’s Community Pet Support Scheme – a scheme that helps elderly and disabled pet owners in three areas of Leicester to care for their companion animals at home.