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Make or break for RSPCA Deal charity shop mannequins this Valentine's Day

It’s make or break this Valentine’s Day for two mannequins who are a regular feature in a charity shop window.

Fred Kin and Franny Manni moved into the RSPCA shop in Deal High Street about 18 months ago.

Whether they’re lounging around, having a tiff or doing the housework, customers and passers-by can keep tabs on them thanks to the imagination of the shop’s volunteers.

Valentine’s Day has given Fred the courage to propose to Franny
Valentine’s Day has given Fred the courage to propose to Franny
The couple's followers will have to wait and see what happens
The couple's followers will have to wait and see what happens

It would seem that Valentine’s Day this week has given Fred the courage to propose to Franny, meaning if she says ‘yes’ they’d be one step closer to becoming Mr and Mrs Manni-Kin.

Manager Sarah Miles who is the brains behind their romance said the duo are a big draw for the shop.

She said: “They’re always a hit with shoppers.

“We had Franny donated to us and we decided to dress her. Then somebody donated Fred and we thought, right, they can have a little romance.

“They’ve had a few tiffs. Fred went out and got drunk one time and broke his arm. They stood with their backs to each other for a week.”

Volunteer Angie Ray and shop manage Sarah Miles with Fred and Franny
Volunteer Angie Ray and shop manage Sarah Miles with Fred and Franny

Fred has also been staged with a suitcase in his hand ready to leave Franny.

Ms Miles added: “She does the ironing and he does the hoovering. We’ve also had them in their dressing gowns.

“We try to use as many props as we can get.”

The mannikins and their alternating attire can be so popular that volunteers have been known to change what they’re wearing up to three times a day.

But this week, the twosome are keeping their followers waiting.

Ms Miles said: “Even though she’s changed her outfit, Franny is still deciding whether to say yes or not. People will have to wait and see what happens.”

If Franny says ‘yes’ they’d be one step closer to becoming Mr and Mrs Manni-Kin.
If Franny says ‘yes’ they’d be one step closer to becoming Mr and Mrs Manni-Kin.

While waiting for the outcome, shop volunteer Richard Sirot has started an appeal for autographed celebrity photographs to be auctioned in Greenwich this summer.

He has already received signed pictures of some of the Eastenders cast as well a photograph and a jacket worn by Jack P. Shepherd, who plays David Platt in Coronation Street.

He has been seen wearing the jacket while walking the cobbles in several episodes.

Money raised from the items will help build an isolation dog unit at the RSPCA animal rescue centre in Canterbury, looking after dogs which need special care and attention.

Day to day profits and donations from the shop also go to the Canterbury centre.

Drop your donations into the shop, open daily from 9am until 4.30pm, excluding Sundays.

You can follow Fred Kin and Franny Manni on ‘RSPCA Fundraising Shop Deal’ on Facebook.

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