The final year of the Charlie's Angels fundraiser for the Prince Albert SPCA hit over $26,000, and that was enough to put a smile on Cleopatra's face (the dog). (Susan McNeil/paNOW)

By Susan McNeil

SPCA fundraiser

Final fundraiser blows past goal for Charlie’s Angels

Jul 19, 2023 | 6:00 AM

A fundraiser dubbed Charlie’s Angels blew well past its goal of $25,000, earning another $1,000 and some smiles and tears at the Prince Albert SPCA.

This is the 10th and final year for the golf tournament fundraiser, started by three friends of Charlie Welch, a local dynamo who adored animals.

Holly Abrey-Hare had some mixed emotions when thinking about the decade of effort honouring her friend, who died of cancer in 2013.

“Over the years this tournament has taken on a life of its own as most of the women golfing in it didn’t even know Charlie,” said Abrey-Hare.

Over the past 10 years, the event has raised over $175,000 and resulted in untold numbers of adoptions as some of the golfers adopted pets after hearing more about the shelter.

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They also get donations of gifts for the animals the shelter houses and adopts.

“The words’ thank you just never seem to be enough, but it’s all that we have, so from the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much for all of your support,” she said.

Abrey-Hare said the three friends who have worked to make the tournament happen every year felt it was time to do it.

Many of the golfers never met Charlie and the volume of work is high.

“She is always with us. She was such a fun-loving, witty, generous, kind spirit. This little lady with a great big heart and she’s still here,” said Abrey-Hare.

Curiosity does no harm to the cats at the Prince Albert SPCA. It may even help them be adopted. (Susan McNeil/paNOW)

She thinks her friend likely loved four-legged creatures more than the two-legged variety.

“They were her heart and soul, that’s for sure,” she said.

The money helps the SPCA in extensive expense areas like veterinary costs, food costs and general operations.

Having the tournament is enough to get adoptions happening, says the organization and all awareness helps.

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Susan.McNeil@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @princealbertnow