Swimming with sharks

Kevin Britt (left) and partner Glenn Drake-Owen will brave the shark-infested waters at the Blue Planet Aquarium this Sunday.

ANIMAL lovers will take to the water with live sharks as part of fundraising efforts to support Oldham RSPCA.

Brave duo Glenn Drake-Owen and Kevin Britt will come face to face with 10ft sharks as they dive to the depths of a reef tank.

It forms part of a £50,000 challenge by property advisors and surveyors Breakey & Nuttall to help the RSPCA fund their new animal centre.

Agency surveyor Glenn said: "Neither of us have done a shark dive before, and frankly they are one of my biggest fears.

"Both personally and as Breakey & Nuttall I like to support charities wherever I can.

"I won't rest until that site at Strinesdale is completed. I'll wring every penny I can out of my family, friends, clients and contacts."

Glenn and Kevin, who works for the North West Ambulance Service, hope to top £500 by diving with 10ft sand tiger sharks without cages or protection barriers on Sunday.

The pair will take to the water at the Blue Planet Aquarium in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, which holds Europe's largest collection of sharks.

As beginners Glenn and Kevin will be taught the basic dive techniques before being let loose in the Caribbean reef tank.

So far a Just Giving page has raised £250 to help the RSPCA Bury, Oldham & District branch cover the cost of their new rehoming centre at Strinesdale Country Park.

RSPCA operations director Denise McCabe said: "We are still desperately trying to raise £50,000.

"We haven't completed all of the work at our new site because we have run out of money.

"The work Breakey & Nuttall are doing is priceless. The firm is doing all it can to help.

"The funds have gone a long way but we have had additional moving in costs and still need extra support."

When the Oldham Animal Centre at Rhodes Bank was compulsorily purchased to allow for redevelopment, Breakey & Nuttall helped the charity find a temporary office.

They have since created fundraising flyers and circulated them among clients and contacts using social media to raise the profile.

Glenn said: "I'm a passionate animal lover and came away in tears after listening to the cruelty people put animals through.

"We immediately donated £500 from Breakey & Nuttall, for a sponsored dog kennel, but we wanted to help the RSPCA more.

"We've had some generous donations from law firms, and clients, but need more."

To donate to the cause visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Glenn-Drake-Owen.