Charity seeks to fund 100 days of wildlife rescue as demand triples - 'we've never been busier'

Sompting Wildlife Rescue would usually be preparing for its annual Christmas raffle at this time of year.

But the charity is doing things differently this year, by launching a fundraiser to cover the cost of more than three months of wildlife rescues.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “The simple truth is that we've never been busier.

“Over the last few years, the number of rescues and admissions we've dealt with has tripled, and the calls, messages and requests for wildlife advice just keep coming.

“Between rescuing animals, caring for patients in our wildlife hospital, answering enquiries and juggling everything else that goes into running a small charity, we simply haven't got the time to organise and run our usual Christmas raffle this year."

The wildlife rescue said the cost of ‘just about everything’ has increased. For example, pigeon food has risen from £12 to £17 a bag, while hay has climbed from £5.40 to £8.50 a bale, according to the charity.

It now aims to raise £4,500, which will help to cover essential costs, including food, electricity, water, fuel, bedding, veterinary supplies and waste disposal.

“That's approximately £45 a day just to keep the rescue operating as it does now,” the charity added.

“We're a small, independent charity, run entirely by volunteers. Nobody receives a salary, and we do everything we can to make every pound stretch as far as possible."

The charity specified the funds won’t be spent on buying ‘lots of shiny new equipment’, but will instead help to provide care for injured, sick and orphaned wildlife.

They added: “Whether it's keeping a tiny hedgehog warm, caring for an injured pigeon, providing ongoing rehabilitation for a fox or helping someone understand when a wild animal needs intervention, every contribution helps us continue our work.”

For more information, and to donate, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/100-days-of-wildlife-rescue.