Traders on a market in Beaumont Leys that was due to close next month have been told that the market can remain open until the end of the year. The city council announced last month that Beaumont Market would close on 3 September in light of current and predicted trading losses. But now City Mayor Peter Soulsby has decided that the market should remain open until after the busy Christmas shopping period. It will now close at the end of trading on Sunday 31 December. The City Mayor said: “I listened to the traders' concerns and became aware that many of them had already invested significant sums in their Christmas stock. "It therefore seems fair to keep Beaumont Market open until the end of the year, so the traders don't miss out on the busy Christmas trading period. “Our markets manager has already called most of the traders to let them have the good news. “I hope that this extended period of notice will give the traders more time to plan for the future.” Changes in shopping habits and declining customer numbers have resulted in fewer stallholders and a reduction in the income needed to give the market a viable future. Just 15 traders currently operate from Beaumont Market. The council is looking at options for selling the land on which the market operates, which is next to Beaumont Leys Shopping Centre.

A business-like operation producing and distributing cannabis products has been shut down after two people were jailed for a number of offences. The offending of one of those people spanned over nearly 12 years. In March 2020 the force launched an investigation after postal packages of cannabis and THC based products were intercepted in Northamptonshire, having originated from Leicestershire. The investigation identified an illegal business that produced and distributed cannabis-based products across the UK, containing THC (a crystalline compound that is the main active ingredient of cannabis). Amrit Pal was identified as the man behind the operation and the investigation revealed his offending went as far back as 2011. Detectives uncovered the true scale of his criminality after they recovered numerous promotional videos and images of cannabis production. The cannabis was then being used to manufacture various products on a long-term commercial scale. He rented two factory units in Leicester for his drugs operation and used social media to promote the manufactured products his company - known as Purple THC or HighgradeSingh. Some of the THC products produced and supplied were advertised as having CBD health benefits, putting people’s lives at risk. Over 12 years he is estimated to have had an income in excess of £800,000. A number of PayPal accounts in Pal’s name were identified and were used by customers to pay for their orders. When officers searched premises associated to 34-year-old Pal they recovered drugs with an estimated street value in excess of £172,000. The evidence recovered during the investigation showed his lavish lifestyle funded through criminality including stays in high-end hotels, lavish holidays abroad and purchasing designer jewellery and clothes. At Leicester Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday 9 August), Pal, formerly of Brent Knowle Gardens, was sentenced to eight years imprisonment after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to production and supply of class B drugs between July 2011 and February 2023. During the investigation Manjeet Behal, was identified as having links with Pal. A warrant was executed at his home address in Uppingham Road and a number of cannabis plants and cultivating equipment was discovered. At a previous hearing, 36-year-old Behal pleaded guilty to producing a controlled class B drug, being concerned in the supply of a controlled class B drug and acquire/use/possess criminal property between June 2020 and January 2022. He was also sentenced yesterday to 18 months imprisonment. Detective Constable Owen Bird is the investigating officer in the case. He said: “To say this has been a lengthy and complex case is putting it lightly. The visual evidence we recovered following searches at properties associated with Pal was vast and it took a considerable amount of time for us to piece together his offending and how far back it went. “The whole business was set-up on a professional level and the promotional material we recovered showed the lengths Pal went to promote and sell his products, even enlisting the support of social media influencers. “The case itself generated more than 450 evidential documents, including witness statements, financial paperwork and forensic reports, as well as more than 5000 images and over 600 videos. “During the investigations he continued to offend despite being released under investigation. He had no regard for his actions and the health risks his products posed to customers. Often, promoting the products of having medicinal benefits, such as curing hair loss and skin conditions. “This case is believed to be one of the longest time periods of offending to be prosecuted in the UK for these types of offences. “We are pleased Pal and Behal pleaded guilty to their part in this business-like operation. The evidence against Pal was overwhelming and he had no choice but to admit his guilt. “While this is a great result and a testament to all the hard work that has gone into securing this outcome, we are no way complacent. We know where there is one gap others are waiting to fill it. Our commitment to tackling the misuse of drugs continues and we will bring perpetrators of such offences to justice. “Anyone who has any information about the misuse of drugs or has any suspicions about an individual’s activity is urged to report it to us. The easiest way to report information is via www.leics.police.uk or Crimestoppers, which is free and anonymous, on 0800 555 111.”

Four people have been found guilty of the “callous and cold-blooded” murder of two men after their car was rammed off a dual carriageway during a high-speed chase. Saqib Hussain and Mohammed Hashim Ijazuddin, both 21, died instantly when their vehicle was rammed off the A46 near Six Hills, Leicestershire, during the early hours of 11 February last year crashing into a central reservation barrier and a tree. Mr Hussain, who was a passenger in the car, had made a 999 call just seconds earlier stating they were being chased by people in balaclavas, being rammed off the road and that they were going to die. A murder investigation was launched which led to Ansreen Bukhari, Mahek Bukhari, Raees Jamal, Rekan Karwan, Sanaf Gulamustafa, Ameer Jamal, Natasha Akhtar and Mohammed Patel all being arrested and charged with the murder of Mr Hussain and Mr Ijazuddin. Today, following a trial at Leicester Crown Court, Ansreen Bukhari, Mahek Bukhari, Raees Jamal and Rekan Karwan were found guilty of the murders of Saqib Hussain and Mohammed Hashim Ijazuddin. Sanaf Gulamustafa, Ameer Jamal and Natasha Akhtar were found not guilty of murder but were found guilty of the manslaughter of Mr Hussain and Mr Ijazuddin. Saqib Hussain and Mohammed Hashim Ijazuddin Ansreen Bukhari Mahek Bukhari Raees Jamal Rekan Karwan Mohammed Patel was found not guilty of murder and not guilty of manslaughter. Enquiries carried out during the murder investigation showed Mr Hussain had been in relationship with Ansreen Bukhari for around three years. After Ansreen Bukhari, who was married, tried to end the affair, Mr Hussain made threats to expose the relationship to her husband and to share sexual images and videos of Ansreen Bukhari. Ansreen Bukhari had offered to pay back money which Mr Hussain had spent during the relationship and it was arranged for Mr Hussain to meet with Ansreen Bukhari and her daughter Mahek Bukhari, who knew about the affair. However, Ansreen and Mahek Bukhari arrived at the arranged meet-up in the Tesco car park in Hamilton, Leicester, along with the six other defendants. The eight defendants were in two vehicles – an Audi TT and a Seat Leon. Mr Hussain then arrived at the car park in a Skoda Fabia, being driven by his friend Mr Ijuzaddin, who had said he would take him. CCTV footage showed the Skoda Fabia arrive in the car park and then immediately leave. The Audi TT and Seat Leon followed the Skoda out of the car park two minutes later. The cars then ultimately ended up in a chase before the 999 call was made by Mr Hussain. The collision itself was not captured on CCTV. Enquiries carried out by a force forensic collision investigator showed the Audi TT reached speeds of up to 100mph during the chase. The speed of the Skoda at the time of the collision was estimated at being in excess of 80mph. Damage found on the front of the Seat Leon was found to be consistent with colliding with the rear of the Skoda Fabia. The impact of the collision was found to have caused the Skoda to split into two and the engine of the car to detach from the body. Both victims died immediately from multiple injuries, prior to the fire taking hold. Both the Audi TT and the Seat Leon were found to have driven past the crashed vehicle before later driving back past the collision site. None of the defendants called 999. Ansreen Bukhari, Mahek Bukhari and Akhtar were arrested during the same morning of the collision with Raees Jamal and Karwan being arrested three days later. Ameer Jamal and Gulamustafa were arrested in March. Senior Investigating Officer in the case, Detective Inspector Mark Parish said: “This was a callous and cold-blooded attack which ultimately cost two men their lives. “After setting Mr Hussain and Mr Ijazuddin up, chasing them at high speed and then ultimately ramming their car off the road, none of the defendants made any attempt to help the victims or to call for help. Instead they drove on and then even drove back past the collision site. Still no-one attempted to offer any help. “As the defendants found guilty were arrested, charged and stood trial before a court, lies were continually told in order to try and cover their tracks. Their only concern during the whole incident and investigation has been for themselves. “My thoughts at this time remain with Mr Hussain and Mr Ijazuddin and their families. The past 16 months has been an extremely difficult and heart-breaking time for both families. They have not only had to come to terms with losing a family member in the most horrific way but have then had to hear extremely distressing details of this in court, waiting for justice to be done. My heartfelt thanks go to them for their bravery, support and co-operation throughout this time. “This investigation was an extremely complex case which involved officers from across different forces working together to ensure quick action was taken, that the full facts were established and that those responsible were quickly brought into custody. Thank you to every officer and staff member that has been involved in this investigation from the initial response to the investigation and court hearing. Your professionalism and dedication helped lead to this result here at court today.” Ansreen Bukhari, 46, of George Eardley Close, Stoke-on-Trent; Mahek Bukhari, 24, of George Eardley Close, Stoke-on-Trent; Raees Jamal, 23, of Lingdale Close, Loughborough; Rekan Karwan, 29, of Tomlin Road, Leicester; Sanaf Gulamustafa, 23, of Littlemore Close, Leicester; Ameer Jamal, 28, of Catherine Street, Leicester and Natasha Akhtar, 23, of Alum Rock Road, Birmingham; have all been remanded into custody and are due to be sentenced on Friday 1 September.

Road closures will be in place on part of Leicester’s busy A50 next week as work on a major highway improvement scheme progresses. Leicester City Council is carrying out an ambitious redevelopment of the A50/Fiveways junction and its connecting roads, in northwest Leicester, to help make this important and busy route safer and easier to use for all road users. As part of the project, the council is completely redesigning and overhauling the busy junction which links Blackbird Road, Woodgate, Fosse Road North, Groby Road and Buckminster Road. Once complete, the major improvement scheme will deliver a reconfigured and simplified junction with improved pedestrian crossings and major improvements on its connecting roads, including new cycle lanes, wider footpaths and improved routes for buses. Work is being carried out in phases to help minimise disruption, with the overall project expected to be complete by Spring 2024. Several phases of work are now largely complete – including improvements to Buckminster Road, Stephenson Drive, Fosse Road North and Groby Road cycleway – with work set to begin on the junction of Woodgate and Fiveways from next week. On Tuesday 8 August, Woodgate will be closed to outbound traffic at its junction with Fiveways for one day only. Then, from Thursday 10 August, Woodgate will be closed to inbound traffic between its junctions with Fiveways and Marshall Street for up to two weeks. This is needed while work to reconfigure kerbs, ducting and drainage are carried out. Well signed diversions will be in place. Work is then due to move onto Fiveways junction itself which will be subject to a rolling programme of short-term road closures from Thursday 24 August, for up to five weeks. This is to allow the newly reconfigured junction to be fully resurfaced. Full details will be publicised nearer the time. Martin Fletcher, Leicester City Council director of highways, said: “This a major scheme that will make huge improvements to one of the most confusing junctions in Leicester. It will help simplify Fiveways for drivers and make it a much more attractive and route for all road users. “We’re working hard to minimise disruption by carrying out work in phases and keeping road closures to a minimum. However, we will need to introduce a rolling programme of short-term closures over the coming weeks as we come to resurfacing the newly reconfigured junction.” The scheme – which is expected to cost about £10.4million – is being paid for through a mix of Enterprise Zone funding through the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP), and the Transforming Cities Fund following the city council’s successful bid for £32million of second tranche funding to support improvements to public transport and provide more safer routes for walkers, wheelers and cyclists in the city centre and local neighbourhoods.

Motorists are being reminded of the dangers of drink drug driving following the latest national figures which show that the number of people being killed is at a twelve-year high. Department for Transport data published on 27th July estimate that there were around 260 drink drive fatalities in 2021 which is a significantly increase on 2020. Meanwhile the number of people killed and seriously injured was 1880 which is an increase of 23% on 2020. Detective Inspector Steve Kilsby, Head of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Leicestershire Police, said, “Driving while impaired, whether through drink or drugs, devastates lives. Sadly, each year drink and drugs are a contributory factor in death and serious injury on the UK’s roads. “Despite our continued road safety messages, it is quite clear that far too many drivers make the decision to get behind the wheel while impaired by drink or drugs.” “Just because you haven’t been out at the pub – drinking at home can still leave you over the limit, including the morning after, can I remind drivers not to put themselves and others at risk by choosing to have None for the Road.” “Drivers should be aware that Leicestershire Police patrol 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week to challenge drink drug drivers and bring them before the courts.” If you see someone who appears to be a drink or drug driverenter a vehicle to drive away, make a note of the registration plate and the direction of travel and call your local police on 101 or make a make a free and anonymous call to CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111. For arrest updates during the campaign, which will run until Thursday 31st August, follow us on: @RoadSafeLeics and facebook.com/LLRroadsafety

The city council has announced that Beaumont Market, located in Beaumont Leys, will close from September this year in the light of current and predicted trading losses. The 15 traders currently operating there are being offered stalls at Leicester Market until planned redevelopment work begins in October. Peter Chandler, head of economic regeneration at the city council said: “Shopping habits have changed since the market opened in the 1980’s, and there has been a gradual decline in shopping there over several years. This has resulted in fewer stallholders and a reduction in the income needed to give the market a viable future. “We are in the process of giving the current stallholders notice to leave, and talking to them about whether they wish to take up the offer of trading space at Leicester Market. “We realise this will be disappointing news and it is not a decision we have taken lightly. We will be doing all we can to help the traders find alternative places to trade, either at Leicester Market or in other suitable council-owned premises.” The council is looking at the options for selling the land on which the market operates, next to Beaumont Leys Shopping Centre. Work is set to begin on the redevelopment of Leicester’s historic city centre market in the autumn. During the refurbishment, traders at Leicester Market will be temporarily relocated to Green Dragon Square, behind the Corn Exchange. Improvements to Leicester Market will include more than 80 new stalls, new lighting, green roofs and solar panels, new paving around the market and more outdoor seating.

Young visitors to Leicester city centre can celebrate National Playday this week by taking part in a day of fun – and free – activities. The city council’s family-friendly event takes place in Town Hall Square on Wednesday (2 August) from 11am until 3pm, with lots going on for those aged 0-12. Activities at Leicester’s Playday will include traditional games, such as skipping and hula hooping, as well as creative play sessions and lots of arts and crafts activities. There will also be storytelling with Leicester Libraries’ BookBus and a stay-and-play area for parents and babies – and, of course, the chance to hook-a-duck from the Town Hall Square fountain. Staff from Leicester’s Libraries will be encouraging young people to join the Summer Reading Challenge, which this year has a sports and games theme. Ready, Set, Read is encouraging youngsters to walk, skip or scoot to their local library, where they’ll pick up stickers and rewards for every book that they read by 17 September. Deputy city mayor Cllr Sarah Russell said: “The city council’s annual Playday is a great opportunity for families with young children to have some fun together in the heart of the city centre. “Play is a vital part of a child’s healthy development, so we are pleased to support this national initiative with a day of free activities that the whole family can enjoy. ”The weather isn’t particularly summery at the moment, but even if it's a bit grey and damp on Wednesday, we’ll still be hooking ducks from the Town Hall Square fountain and there’ll be some activities under cover. So wear something waterproof and come and join in the fun!” National Playday is co-ordinated by Play England and is supported by local authorities across the UK. Anyone who can’t join in the fun on Wednesday can still take part in two ‘mini’ playdays that will take place in Town Hall Square on Wednesday 9 August and Wednesday 16 August. Mini playdays run from 11am until 2pm. Other ideas for summer fun in Leicester include a Railway Day at Abbey Pumping Station tomorrow (Tuesday 1 August, from 11.30am-4pm), Gruesome Gargoyles & Castles of Clay at the Guildhall on Thursday 3 Aug (£3 charge) and the Caribbean Carnival parade, which will wend its way from Victoria Park to the city centre and back again on Saturday afternoon (5 August). More ideas for free or low-cost family activities in Leicester are available here

After a national advertising campaign and gruelling selection process, Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL), has today announced the appointment of its new Chief Executive, Kevin Allen-Khimani, who will step into the helm after the retirement of Kevan Liles this autumn. Kevin is the current Head of Operations and Services and has more than 20 years’ service at VAL. He is well known to many important local stakeholders and will provide experience and continuity for VAL as they move into their next stage of development. Kevin successfully led VAL’s dynamic response to the Covid 19 pandemic, mobilising thousands of local volunteers and hundreds of community groups to support vulnerable local communities. “I am delighted that the Trustee Board has been able to secure such a strong successor to lead VAL into the future. The Board will do everything it can to support Kevin in his leadership of our organisation that has proved to be such an essential component in improving the lives of the people and communities of Leicester and Leicestershire.” Linda Jones, Chair of Trustees. Kevin will commence his new role in mid-September to allow a 6 week handover period before Kevan Liles retires at the end of October after 33 years’ service at VAL. “It is so exciting to be given this opportunity to lead such a fantastic organisation. I have already had a tremendous career at VAL and have steadily developed my skills and experience. I intend to lead VAL to a better, more sustainable future – building on the existing strong foundations.” Kevin Allen-Khimani, VAL CEO Designate.

A police investigation into industrial amounts of class A drugs being supplied across the UK has led to six more people being sentenced. A total of 32 people have now been brought before the courts following the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) investigation which was launched in April 2020 after the encrypted chat platform ‘Encrochat’ was dismantled as part of a huge international law enforcement operation. The platform had been used to organise and facilitate the supply of multiple kilos of cocaine and heroin, primarily between January and September 2020. Data recovered from the platform was used by officers to show the vast scale of offending which stretched the length and breadth of the UK and across international boundaries. Large amounts of cash and class A drugs were recovered during police enforcement across 2020 and 2021. The EMSOU investigation led to 22 people being sentenced in January and four people in June for their involvement. Five people were sentenced at Leicester Crown Court for their involvement. Top row from left to right: Hani Mohamed Sadek, Lewis Ball and Richard Paice Bottom row from left to right: Abusophiyan Malida, Cale Borland Hani Mohamed Sadek, 44, formerly of Shakespeare Avenue, Denton, Greater Manchester was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply a Class A controlled drug (cocaine) Lewis Ball, 33, formerly of St Austell Road, Leicester was sentenced to seven years and six months imprisonment after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply a Class A controlled drug (cocaine) Richard Paice, 45, formerly of Castleton Avenue, Arnold, Nottinghamshire was sentenced to six years and eight months imprisonment after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply a Class A controlled drug (cocaine) and possession with intent to supply a Class A controlled drug (cocaine) Abusophiyan Malida, 27, formerly of Sandringham Avenue, Leicester was sentenced to six years and six months imprisonment after previously being found guilty following a trial of conspiracy to supply a Class A controlled drug (cocaine) Cale Borland, 27, formerly of Ratby Road, Groby, Leicestershire was sentenced to five years and four months imprisonment after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply a Class A controlled drug (cocaine)

The Leicester Riders are excited to sign 6’7” forward TJ Lall to their 2023/24 roster. The Canadian, who holds a British passport, has played four seasons in the Canadian CEBL, most recently alongside Riders’ guard Kimbal Mackenzie for the Niagara River Lions. Lall played last season in the Japanese first division for Kyoto Hannaryz, putting up 6.8 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. He was selected by the Ottawa BlackJacks as the first overall pick during the 2020 CEBL Draft, where he had his first taste of professional basketball. In college, the Ontario native won four national titles with the Carleton Ravens before transferring to Brock University for his fifth college season. He averaged 22 points and 7.9 rebounds per game and was named First Team All-Canadian, OUA West First Team All-Star and Brock Men’s Basketball Team MVP. "I'm very excited and grateful for the opportunity to play for the Riders," said Lall. “I can't wait to experience basketball in the UK and get on court to battle with the team!" “We are thrilled to have TJ for next season,” commented Head Coach Rob Paternostro. “TJ is a versatile player who can make an impact on both ends of the floor and a guy who plays with the type of energy that can really impact a game. “He can do a variety of things: defend multiple positions, score in different ways and as shown the ability to play make for others. “He has been teammates with guys we know very well, and they’ve all said great things about him as a player and a teammate.”

Your local air ambulance has achieved the monumental milestone of undertaking its 50,000th mission in a year that sees the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) celebrating 20 years of lifesaving service and Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA) celebrating 15 years. The lifesaving service has touched tens of thousands of lives in the process of reaching the impressive milestone and the feat is even more remarkable given the fact all missions are funded entirely by public donations - at no cost to the NHS. WNAA and DLRAA provide pre-hospital emergency critical care - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year - utilising both helicopters and critical care cars while working alongside East Midlands and West Midlands Ambulance Services. Former patient Adrian O’Donnell, who needed the vital service when he suffered a cardiac arrest, attended the East Midlands airbase to mark the occasion. “It’s incredible to see the service, which helped save my life, reach its 50,0000th mission milestone,” said Adrian. “Mine was one of those 50,000 missions and my story highlights the difference between life and death that being treated by the air ambulance crew can make. “My wife Jane and I are forever grateful for this vital service for saving my life and the knock-on effect the charity has when it saves lives; this being on families, friends, and the public – it’s amazing that it’s kept operational by public support and donations,” he added. Based at Coventry Airport and currently Nottingham Heliport respectively, WNAA and DLRAA carry dedicated critical care paramedics and doctors who are able to perform advanced medical interventions and surgical procedures - usually performed in a hospital environment - from thoracotomies and caesareans to amputations, when the need is there. The charity’s frontline crews, who work tirelessly around the clock to help save lives, are proud to have been able to help so many in their moment of need. Critical Care Paramedic & DLRAA Base Manager Gavin Alexander said: “On 50,000 occasions, our clinical teams have been tasked in the air ambulance helicopters (63%) or Critical Care Cars (37%) to go to the aid of someone who may need us. “Since 2003, the response of the public to us has been fantastic as we have continued to provide frontline critical care across our five counties and further afield as we’ve responded to countless road traffic collisions, medical incidents, assaults, falls, sporting/leisure incidents and industrial accidents. “Not every one of the 50,000 calls resulted in lifesaving interventions by our crews, sometimes thankfully the patient is not as serious as first thought and the team can provide assistance and reassurance to the patient. However, sometimes the time saved or the rescue flight from a remote hard to reach location is the most important intervention we deliver, but we’re proud to have been there for our communities, and we will continue to be.” Director of Operations, Richard Clayton, added: “As we have completed our monumental milestone of 50,000 lifesaving missions, I’m proud of how our frontline services have enhanced over the years and the clinical developments achieved - allowing our services to help lead the way in pre-hospital emergency medicine. “I’m reminded of the countless people that have contributed in so many ways to our services, we simply couldn’t have achieved our mission over the past 20 years without our fantastic volunteers, donors, supporters, charity team and NHS partners. “Most of all I want to thank my critical care clinicians, pilots and support team members for their significant contribution to our communities and patient care, as well as their families who have been consistently supportive as our crews work tirelessly round the clock.” Funded by public donations, with each mission costing an average of £1,700, 50,000 missions means over £85m has been funded to keep the vital charity operational – emphasising the need for continued support from the public to enable them to continue saving lives. The Air Ambulance Service Acting CEO, Emma Peake reflects on what this means to the charity: “It is incredible to think about reaching 50,000 missions and gives us all an enormous sense of pride because of the difference we have been making to patient outcomes and people’s lives. “When we talk about 50,000 missions, it is people and their extended families that have been positively affected by our lifesaving work. It has meant people celebrating their own milestone birthdays and anniversaries which might never have happened, it has meant saving the NHS tens of millions of pounds by providing all our services for free, and it has meant many lives saved or extra time given for families to say goodbye. “All of this is achieved because of the dedication, commitment, and passion of everyone involved at our charity. 50,000 missions has been supported not only by our incredible supporters, donors, and staff, but through our network of now 37 retail stores which have generated an astounding £42m, 680 reuse clothing banks, and a sensational army of now 795 selfless volunteers.” For more information or to support the vital charity, please visit www.airambulanceservice.org.uk or call 0300 3045 999.

Leading developer Barratt Homes has made a £1,500 donation to an animal rehoming centre in Huncote as part of its Community Fund scheme. Leicester Animal Aid, based in the South Leicestershire village of Huncote, cares for around 300 dogs and cats who are lost, abandoned, neglected, unwanted or relinquished each year and the contribution from the housebuilder will help its services. The cost-of-living crisis has taken its toll on many people with pets and, as reported by Pets4Homes, one in 10 UK pet owners are considering giving up their companion to cope with financial pressures. It was noted that 18% of owners were falling into debt to pay for their pets’ care, whilst 25% said they will not take their pet to the vet due to high costs. In addition, there are also other reasons why well-loved pets are relinquished and this is where charities like Leicester Animal Aid make a real difference. The funding from Barratt Homes has gone towards the Community Pet Support Scheme, which helps elderly, disabled and housebound pet owners care for their companion animals at home. Helen Wilber, Fundraising Manager at Leicester Animal Aid, said: “When we received the news of the donation, we were absolutely delighted. “Our Community Pet Support Scheme not only helps local people, but it helps to prevent well-loved animals being relinquished because their owners are elderly or have disabilities which are impacting on their ability to look after their animals in the way they would like to. “The charity relies heavily on donations from kind, individual and sympathetic, local and national businesses to keep our doors open to cats and dogs who need a second chance, so we are always grateful for any assistance.” The donation was made as part of the housebuilder’sBarratt Developments Plc Charitable Foundation, which is designed to support national and local charities, large and small, leaving a lasting legacy in the communities in the areas the developer is operating in. During the pandemic, and since the end of lockdown, Leicester Animal Aid has taken in more young dogs than usual. The registered charity has also had more dogs that have not had the opportunity to socialise with other dogs and people due to the isolation periods, and ones which haven’t received the basic training they need. As a result, the dogs have needed more extensive care plans to help build their confidence, social and behavioural skills. On the relinquishment side, many owners giving up animals have acknowledged that they have found pet ownership challenging. Some owners have explained that they were unable to register their new pet at a veterinary practice, and have struggled to book and afford routine care such as vaccinations, and neuter or spay surgery. To combat this, the charity has cared for more pregnant cats and unwanted younger cats than usual, and also had a higher number of cats requiring veterinary treatment. The work of rehoming charities has increased in the past year due to pets that were adopted during the lockdown periods being returned, largely due to the cost-of-living crisis. Pets charity, Woodgreen, stated applications to adopt animals had plunged from around 10,000 during the lockdowns to now hundreds a month. Mark Cotes, Managing Director at Barratt Homes North Midlands, said: “The work of Leicester Animal Aid is of extreme importance, as there are many dogs and cats in need of a loving home. “The charity’s efforts to care for pets in need is fantastic to see, and we’re glad to see our Community Fund donation will be put to good use via the Community Pet Support Scheme.” To learn more about the charity, visit its website atLeicester Animal Aid.