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Where did it all start?

The animal welfare charity Jessie's Trust exists since March 2007 when it was founded to celebrate the life and love of Jessie, the beautiful Dalmatian with a personality larger than life and a kind heart to match. Until 30 November 2011 donations to Jessie's Trust were distributed over various small East Sussex animal charities.

Jessie's Trust to create a new animal sanctuary

It’s no news that UK animal rescue centres have been full to overflowing for years now and that over the past year the situation has become critical. A new sanctuary in East Sussex is desperately needed and we at Jessie's Trust have decided to create it. Anyone who is interested, has a suggestion, or would like to play a role in this venture, don’t hesitate a second to contact us on info@jessiestrust.org!

From 1 December 2011all donations to Jessie’s Trust will be channelled to the creation of the sanctuary.

It goes without saying that this is a major undertaking and that the initial efforts are concentrated on fundraising, finding volunteers, finding a site, obtaining planning permission and, finally, construction. We aim to speak at village meetings, WI gatherings, sports clubs, anywhere where there are people willing to hear us. It is jokingly referred to as the 'Jessie's Trust Roadshow'. If you are in East Sussex and think your community, group or club would be interested, do let us know!

The Jessie's Trust website has gone live (www.jessiestrust.org) and this will be expanded as time goes by. We are also present on Facebook, and hope you will follow us.

Anything you can do for Jessie's Trust, whether it be in the form of  ideas, help, donations or simply a prayer, will be received with the deepest gratitude.

Love and blessings,
Mayke Hogestijn

The charities Jessie's Trust's donations supported (and hope to work with in the future!):

The East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All rescuers are volunteers and help deal with 2,000 to 3,000 incidents annually across the county.

The charity has four veterinary ambulances and run a casualty care centre in East Sussex. Its 'release-into-the-wild' success rate is a staggering 74%, way above the national average. WRAS volunteers deal with up to 45 call-outs a day and drive over 35,000 miles a year.

Funded entirely by donations, each year the charity's veterinary bills are over £13,000 and the cost of keeping the ambulances insured, fuelled and maintained come to £12,500 per year.

For more information or to make a donation please visit

At its Rescue Centre near Uckfield, East Sussex, the Kit Wilson Trust for Animal Welfare cares for animals from a wide range of backgrounds. Many are unwanted, ill-treated or abandoned. The Trust has a large number of cats and dogs at the Centre awaiting new homes, and each day can bring more animals needing attention.

The Rescue Centre has also become a permanent home to horses, donkeys, cats, goats, rodents and a variety of birds.
We feel the Centre seems somehow contained in a love-bubble and is a place of peace and enchantment. The Kit Wilson Trust receives no local authority, government or lottery funding. For more information please visit