The Monica Russell BCAv Orphan Rearing Unit was opening this week [Monday 1st February] at East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service’s (WRAS) wildlife hospital at Whitesmith.
The new facility is over three times the size of the previous temporary unit, and has been named after WRAS volunteer Monica Russell, 68 from Eastbourne, who has volunteered for over 20 years helping wildlife charities with orphan rearing. Monica is suffering from a rare and incurable form of Bile Duct Cancer, and sadly was too ill to come to the opening, but her husband Brian very kindly came along and opened the centre on her behalf.
Monica managed to come over a few weeks ago to see the new unit when she wasn’t so ill, and she was really touched when she heard WRAS was going to name the unit after her. She has loved helping both WRAS and Folly Wildlife Rescue. She was very emotional when she heard the unit was to be named after her and to see her legacy of orphan rearing live on. “This has been very difficult time for us and seeing all the hard work which has gone into this and getting it open today is simply amazing , on behalf of Monica I can’t thank everyone enough” said Brian.
“I have known Monica for many years, and she has helped us take in and rear thousands of baby wildlife. I have seen her miraculously turned round numerous emaciated, hypothermic, premature baby wildlife like foxes, badgers, hedgehogs, stoats and more. She is amazing with the babies. Not only that she has been a big help at WRAS with advice and support, helping as a committee member, trustee and chairperson and also helping on rescues, at fundraising events and so much more” said Trevor Weeks MBE founder of WRAS.
Monica was recognised with a national honour in 2014 when she was given a British Citizen Award at the House of Lords for her services to volunteering and charitable giving.
Monica is an outstanding, passionate and dedicated animal lover who has helped more than 5,000 people through the years who have found sick, injured and especially orphaned animals. She became involved in wildlife rescue after a chance encounter with a hedgehog which a local veterinarian said he would have to put down unless Monica wanted to look after it herself. Of course Monica agreed and her animal rescue career began. She then became involved with Tunbridge Wells charity, Folly Wildlife Rescue Trust. She continued her voluntary work at East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) upon moving to Hailsham in 2004, as a charitable member, a trustee, a senior carer and a rescuer.
“Monica has gone beyond what most people would, caring for sick and orphaned wildlife day and night – sometimes having to get up hourly to feed baby hedgehogs, fox cubs and stoats to name but a few. All this has been done alongside holding down full and part-time jobs. Monica is a special person and the type of person which both our volunteers and myself wish to follow in the footstep of, she is in inspiration to us all. We have put up a plaque on the wall as well as special framed dedication to remember everything she has down for our charity and thousands of animals.” Said Trevor.
"Monica became ill in 2012, and was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer. Of those diagnosed with this form of cancer, only five per cent survive for more than 12 months. Monica was forced to give up her beloved voluntary work at the end of 2014 due to her deteriorating health. She would have loved to have been here today but sadly she is too ill. ” said Brian.
Numerous WRAS volunteers attended the opening at WRAS’s Casualty Centre which is now gearing up and making preparations for the up and coming orphan seasons which can start as early as March.
East Sussex WRAS is a registered charity and the new orphan unit has been funded via donations and a legacy which was received last year. To find out more or to make a donation to WRAS please go to www.wildlifeambulance.org
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Pictures courtesy of WRAS Volunteers Emily Polling & John Pettifor.
Video by WRAS Manager Chris Riddington.
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Mrs Lynda James
Lovely to see your new unit as not sure which part of the building as we used rent that particular one unit 8 for many years doing proofs for the print industry. I follow all your posts in the Sussex Express with great interest as a wildlife lover and pleased to hear the unit has been put to great use.