Have a paw-some picnic!

This Summer, roll out the picnic blanket to help animals in need by holding your own RSPCA Great Big Picnic.

Whether you are a baking enthusiast, or can just about make an edible sandwich, the picnic is all about getting family, friends and furry companions together for some fun in the sun.

Katie Sutcliffe, RSPCA events manager, said: “While school’s out, it’s the perfect time to get the picnic blankets out and spend quality time with the kids enjoying your favourite treats.

“The RSPCA can help plan the perfect picnic to raise money for animals in need and while you enjoy your sandwiches in the sun, you’ll be helping us continue with our work to improve the lives of animals everywhere.”

The RSPCA relies entirely on donations to do its vital work rescuing rehabilitating and rehoming animals.

Across the centres in June there were 3,260 dogs and 9,832 cats taken into care, more than 1,000 rabbits and nearly 500 horses. Our 24-hour cruelty hotline has received more than 500,000 this year so far.

Katie continued: “We need your help now as much as ever and getting friends together for some cake and sandwiches is a simple but fun way to help the charity continue this vital work.”

August Bank Holiday is the ideal time to have a picnic but they can be held anytime and anywhere.

There are free posters, bunting, invites, cake flags and recipes all available to download when you register your picnic with the RSPCA. The fundraising pack also includes face masks to colour in for children, a RSPCA-themed quiz and lots of fun ideas to do on the day.

Why not hold a competition for the best decorated cake or cupcake, collect donations to guess the weight of the cake or the number of sweets in the jar, or have a game of Tug o' War or even an egg and spoon race.

Share the memories by posting a picture of your paw-some picnic using the hashtag #RSPCAPicnic

All the money raised from donations and games can be paid online through the website and will go straight to helping animals in need.

The donations will help the RSPCA continue to rescue, rehome and rehabilitate animals in desperate need of care.