A CHARITY which has rehabilitated more than 1,400 hedgehogs in the past 12 months has been given a £175 cash boost.
Hedgehogs Rest Rescue in Allesley, Coventry, has been recognised by law firm Wright Halsall as part of its 175 acts of kindness.
The charity’s founder Lorna Parry thanked Wright Halsall said: “I was completely shocked I had been nominated for this award, let alone that I had been selected as a winner.
“I have been rescuing hedgehogs for over 25 years and incorporated Coventry Hedgehog Rescue with Hedgehogs Rest Rescue in 2012, so to see the steady progress that we are now starting to make is incredible, and another positive sign that people have a genuine interest in the welfare of hedgehogs.”
The charity is currently running a fund-raising campaign so it can build a specialised hospital, complete with rehabilitation facilities and ICU to care for hedgehogs of all ages and treat a variety of ailments and injuries.
Since the pandemic started, hedgehogs have been listed as vulnerable to extinction in the UK by the Mammal Society, and Hedgehogs Rest Rescue is hoping to raise funds through public donations to help combat unnecessary deaths.
The new facilities will help Lorna, who spent much of the pandemic nursing hundreds of the beloved nocturnal creatures back to health alone due to restrictions, reach even more across Coventry and Warwickshire.
As well as donations via PayPal or cheque, Lorna is also looking for committed volunteers to support the charity’s growing operations.
Lorna added: “The hospital will be built from the ground up now that we have been granted planning permission, there is a long road ahead and we truly appreciate everyone who has been along to our events and engaged with us on Facebook, as every penny is a step towards our goal.”
The Acts of Kindness scheme has been launched to celebrate Wright Hassall’s 175th anniversary and asks the public to nominate members of the community who have gone above and beyond to support others.
Each month employees from the firm select a winner from the nominations who receives £175 to donate to a charity of their choice.
Robert Lee, Corporate Partner at Wright Hassall, said: “What Lorna does in the region has probably gone unnoticed for quite a while as the charity has been so focused on providing the best care possible.
“Now that Lorna and Hedgehogs Rest Rescue have a goal in sight, it’s about time they start to be recognised for their huge role in caring for the region’s vulnerable wildlife.”
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