Spring has sprung and our county’s varied wildlife is starting to give birth to their youngsters. Animals are run ragged searching for food, defending their food sources and territories, and trying to keep their young safe from predators and disturbance. On top of this they have to run the gauntlet of roads, our pet cats and dogs and dropped litter, pollution and environmental disturbance.
As a result local charity East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS), has seen the number of casualties in need of rescue more than treble in recent weeks. “This is an annual event for us and we rely on public support to help us fund the food, equipment, veterinary care for the thousands of casualties which come into care at this time of year” said WRAS found Trevor Weeks MBE.
WRAS is being called out to numerous casualties which including fox cubs, ducklings, baby pigeons, blackbirds and robins as well as last year’s youngsters who have struggled over winter.
“People think we are a big charity with loads of money, when in reality we are small, have limited funds but achieve alot with what we are donated. We are very cost effective and give a high level of care to all the casualties in our care. This winter we have spend a lot of time and money improving our facilities so we can take in more casualties, but these are one off costs, but in order to expand we also need more people to help by making regular donations. We know not everyone is in a position commit to a regular donation so we are asking people to either make a one off donation or to make a donation on a regular basis by setting up a standing order for as little as £1 a month, which helps WRAS plan for the future and become more secure. Our biggest source of income is from standing order and very important to us. Despite what many people think we are not funded by the Government or by Council Tax” said Trevor.
These ducklings were rescued by WRAS at the weekend after being found wandering around the Church Road area of Polegate. “We received numerous calls about ducklings being seen running around without a mum in the Church Road and Brightling Road area of Polegate so send an ambulance down to investigate but we were only able to find these two” said WRAS Rescue Co-ordinator Chris Riddington.
This fox cub was found wandering in the middle of the busy A267 at Horam and handed in to a nearby garden centre. He joins two other currently in care. These very young baby pigeons are at home with WRAS’s Manager Kathy Martyn who is hand rearing then after their nest was knocked out of a tree.
“As we are only a small organisation we don’t have a dedicated fundraising team, we all have to pitch in to help. But this is our busiest time of year and we struggle to spend time raising money when there are so many casualties which need our help. It’s a difficult balance between spending money on casualties and spending time raising money. We know that the people of Sussex love this county because of our countryside and natural environment and we hope they will help support us in taking care of our Sussex wildlife.” said Trevor.
Anyone wanting to help support WRAS can send a donation to East Sussex WRAS, PO Box 2148, Seaford, East Sussex, BN25 9DE or call 01825-873003 or make a donation online by clicking here.
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Press Contacts:
Trevor Weeks MBE – 01825-873003 or 07931523958.
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