Some of you may have seen the recent news coverage about our family and Alpaca Acres, but there is so much more to our story than a newspaper headline.

Behind the photographs of smiling families, happy animals and wonderful experiences is a story of resilience, determination, heartbreak, hope and a family who simply refuses to give up.

We are fighting to save our home, our family, over 100 animals and a place that has become a lifeline for so many people in our community.

But to understand why this means so much to us, I need to share a little about the woman behind Alpaca Acres and the journey that brought us here.

MY OWN FIGHT – AND WHY I REFUSE TO GIVE UP

My journey started after I suffered a serious accident during Covid. Because of the circumstances at the time, I was left for months without the help and support I desperately needed.

I spent 18 months in a full metal leg brace before finally having my first surgery. During that time, I was told to prepare for the possibility that I might never walk unaided again.

Since then, I have undergone multiple surgeries, but my fight is far from over.

I still struggle every single day with ongoing mobility problems, physical limitations and the pain that comes with my injuries.

There are days when even the simplest things are difficult. Days when my body reminds me of everything it has been through.

Just six months after my own accident, my husband suffered a frightening heart attack.

Life really did throw everything it possibly could at us.

But every morning, I get up and try again.

I push myself, adapt, find ways around the things I can no longer do as easily and refuse to let my physical limitations define who I am.

I haven't magically recovered. I haven't got my old mobility back. I still live with the consequences of my accident every single day.

But I still have dreams, I still have purpose and I still want to make a difference.

I want other people facing their own battles to see that life doesn't have to stop when something terrible happens. You can have limitations and still achieve things. You can struggle and still inspire others.

I may not have got my old life or mobility back, but I have found a new purpose.

And that purpose became Alpaca Acres.

HOW THE ANIMALS HELPED ME – AND HOW I NOW WANT TO HELP OTHERS

The animals became my happy place.

They gave me comfort, something to focus on, something to fight for and a reason to keep going, even on the days when I was struggling the most.

What started with alpacas grew into something far bigger than I could ever have imagined.

Alpaca Acres isn't just a farm. It isn't just a business or somewhere people come to cuddle animals.

It's our home, our life, our family and something we have poured our hearts and souls into creating.

But it has also become something incredibly special to other people.

We welcome vulnerable children, families, people living with additional needs, veterans, NHS workers and people experiencing some of life's darkest moments.

We have welcomed people connected with Help for Heroes, the NHS, the RAF, Women's Refuge, care homes, schools and many other communities.

Some of the children who visit us are living with life-limiting illnesses. Some of our visitors are veterans who have lost multiple limbs serving our country.

We have welcomed families facing circumstances that most of us cannot begin to imagine.

And this is where I ask a question:

Why does everything always have to come down to money?

Why is so much emphasis placed on financial return, profitability and whether something generates enough income?

What about the things that cannot be measured financially?

What about the smile on a child's face who is living with a life-limiting illness?

What about a veteran who has lost multiple limbs but can still come here, enjoy themselves and make special memories?

What about a couple where one person has been given just a year to live, who wanted to get engaged and create precious memories together?

How do you put a financial value on those moments?

How do you measure the importance of giving someone happiness, comfort and something positive to hold on to when life is incredibly difficult?

Not everything that matters can be measured in money.

THE ANIMALS THAT WERE RESCUED – AND NOW HELP RESCUE PEOPLE IN THEIR OWN WAY

There is another incredibly special part of Alpaca Acres.

Some of our animals have been rescued. They have been given a safe home, love, patience and the opportunity to learn to trust humans again.

And something beautiful happens along the way.

These animals, who themselves have needed kindness and reassurance, now give so much back to the people who visit us.

They help children find confidence, bring smiles to families going through difficult times and offer comfort and connection to people who may be struggling.

They don't know whether the person standing beside them is a child with a life-limiting illness, a veteran who has lost multiple limbs or someone struggling emotionally.

They simply connect in their own beautiful way.

We give our animals a second chance at life, and without even realising it, they help give people a second chance at happiness, confidence and hope.

There is something incredibly moving about two lives, both with their own stories and struggles, connecting without judgement, expectations or words.

Sometimes the animals we rescue end up helping to heal hearts we never even knew were hurting.

WHY WE ONLY WELCOME ONE FAMILY OR GROUP AT A TIME

Something else that makes Alpaca Acres different is that we deliberately only welcome one family or group at a time.

We want every visitor to have private, uninterrupted time with our animals.

There are no crowds, no pressure and no feeling of being rushed through an experience.

For children with additional needs, families dealing with life-limiting illnesses, people with disabilities and those who find busy environments overwhelming, this can make an enormous difference.

They can take their time, enjoy the animals at their own pace and simply be themselves.

We don't want people to feel like another booking or another number.

We want every family to feel special, welcomed and valued.

For us, success isn't about how many people we can get through our gates. It's about the difference we can make to the people who come through them.

THE FIGHT TO SAVE OUR HOME AND OUR FUTURE

Sadly, we are now facing one of the hardest battles of our lives.

Our planning situation has left our family's future living here uncertain, and the possibility of having to leave the land we call home is something I cannot begin to put into words.

People see the photographs, the happy families, the baby animals and the wonderful experiences, but they don't see the sleepless nights, the worry, the endless work or the emotional toll of trying to keep everything going.

We have over 100 animals depending on us. Many need daily care, attention, routine and protection.

They aren't just animals we own. They are our family.

Their welfare is our absolute priority, and the thought of an uncertain future for them is heartbreaking.

We are not asking for a mansion, luxury or anything extravagant.

We are simply fighting for the opportunity for our family to continue living on the farm, caring for our animals and continuing the work that has become so important to our community.

As a small, family-run, non-profit Community Interest Company, every penny generated through our experiences goes straight back into the animals and the work we do.

We don't have huge financial backing or endless resources. We have hard work, determination, a family who refuses to give up and a wonderful community of people who have stood beside us.

WHAT WE ARE REALLY FIGHTING FOR

I want people to understand that we aren't simply fighting to save a farm.

We are fighting for a place where a child living with a life-limiting illness can forget about hospital appointments for a little while.

A place where veterans who have sacrificed so much can enjoy themselves and make memories.

A place where families can celebrate love, create precious moments and find happiness even when life is incredibly difficult.

A place where rescued animals can learn to trust again and, in turn, help people find comfort and confidence.

And a place where someone like me, who still struggles with daily pain and limited mobility, can turn her own difficult experiences into something positive for others.

I don't pretend to have all the answers, and I don't claim that animals can fix everything.

But I know what they did for me, and I see the difference they can make to other people every single day.

I spend every day fighting my own physical battles, but I still get up and try to make life a little brighter for somebody else. Now I'm fighting to save the very thing that gave me a reason to keep going.

That is why I am not ready to give up.

PLEASE DON'T LET OUR STORY END HERE

We believe there is a much bigger conversation here about the value of community organisations, the power of animals, disability, resilience, mental wellbeing and why the things that make a difference to people's lives should matter just as much as financial figures.

We are happy to provide photographs, videos, further background information and links to the recent news coverage.

To everyone who has booked an experience, donated blankets and towels, shared our posts or sent us a kind message, thank you. You are part of our story too.

We aren't just fighting for a place to live.

We are fighting for our family, our animals, our future and a place that has brought comfort, happiness and hope to so many other people.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story. I appreciate how many requests your team receives, but I genuinely hope you might consider giving us the opportunity to tell ours.

Sometimes the strongest people aren't those who have overcome every battle. They are the people who are still fighting, still smiling and still trying to make a difference despite everything life has thrown at them.

With love and heartfelt thanks,

Dawn & Family 💗

ALPACA ACRES 🦙🐷🐐