David Ruffley MP has called on local people to throw their support behind the RSPCA during next week's RSPCA Week.

The RSPCA is a registered charity which seeks to prevent cruelty, promoted kindness and alleviate suffering of animals. Its £82million annual running costs are funded exclusively by voluntary donations and legacies.

This year's RSPCA Week will run from 27 April to 3 May 2009.

David said:

'This year will be the 15th RSPCA Week- to mark this anniversary I hope that local people in our area come out and support the hard work of the local RSPCA and their volunteers. In 2008 their fund raising efforts brought in a remarkable £279,145 and this year I hope that everyone in Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket and the villages in our part of Suffolk will consider helping them surpass this amount.

'Members of the West Suffolk branch of the RSPCA will be out and about fundraising in the community during the coming week.

'The West Suffolk RSPCA branch also has a shop, located in St Andrews Street South in Bury St. Edmunds, which sells a very large assortment of useful items, all at affordable prices. Most importantly the proceeds go to supporting the excellent work the RSPCA do in our community.'