AN animal lover gave up part of her 50th birthday to step out in support of her favourite charity.

A five-mile fundraising walk to raise money for an animal refuge may not be everyone's idea of a birthday gift, but Sandra Denham loved it, despite suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

Ms Denham, a volunteer worker at Bryson's refuge, in Wrekenton, Gateshead, has also undergone knee and hip replacement surgery, making walking difficult.

But 30 of her friends, who organised the surprise birthday trip, accompanied her on the unexpected walk, through the streets of Gateshead.

It helped to raise £734 sponsorship.

"I knew nothing about it, until I arrived at a local pub for what was supposed to be a quiet, family birthday outing and found a huge group of family and friends waiting to take me on a sponsored walk they had organised," she said.

"It was a complete surprise, but also a very enjoyable one. Some family members had come from as far away as Coventry to take part."

Ms Denham, of Leam Lane, Gateshead, was accompanied on the walk by her two border collies, which she took in from the refuge.

Part of the money raised on the walk will be used to provide hutches for the rabbits she looks after at the refuge.

Ms Denham has what she describes as, a fully house-trained rabbit, Benny, which has the run of her home with the two collies.