Malcolm and Brenda Finnis, of Langney, have been getting up at 4.30am at weekends to fill their car with items to sell at boot fairs.

Malcolm said, "For some time now my wife and I have realised that we needed to drastically reduce the amount of items we have accumulated over 48 years of marriage."

Since May the couple have been to 11 boot fairs and said the early starts was a 'culture shock'.

Malcolm said, "We have had a long history through our married life to support animal charities.

"We have always had cats and dogs and do what we can for animals."

The first time the couple met founder of WRAS Trevor Weeks was a couple of years ago when they called WRAS after discovering a disorientated swan in their road.

Malcolm said because of WRAS the swan was carefully taken to safety.

Brenda and Malcolm raised £517.63 for WRAS from the boot fairs and Brenda said she was amazed at how generous some people were at donating money to the cause.

The couple would like to thank everyone who made it possible, Marie Stenham, who gave a generous donation.

The couple added, "We hope that our experience may encourage others to support this amazing and compassionate registered charity which does so much for injured or distressed wildlife."