We wanted to run a sponsored event doing something that would be directly useful to our charity as an alternative to sponsored walks etc. and we came up with the idea of asking people to sponsor our charity shop volunteers to put in a certain number of days helping out.

Will you help RSPCA Cambridge by sponsoring our volunteers, or by joining the campaign and volunteering yourself?

You can sponsor our Newmarket team via their page on the secure JustGiving site and our Cambridge team via their Bookshop page.

We're hoping that people will be inspired to give volunteering a go and enjoy it so much that they turn into regular helpers.

To volunteer at either shop, just call in to pick up a volunteering form and have a chat with the manager.

Our Newmarket shop is at 10A Market Street (joining the High Street and the Guineas shopping centre). Call in any day except Sundays and Mondays and ask to speak to Debbie.

Our Bookshop is at 188 Mill Road, Cambridge. Call in on a Saturday or Monday afternoon and ask to speak to Pat, who can also tell you about volunteering at our general charity shop at 61 Burleigh Street, Cambridge.

The event will run throughout 2016 - why not make it your New Year resolution to volunteer and help raise funds to help local animals?