Joan's £4k plea to help hedgehogs

A South Staffordshire charity which cares for sick and injured hedgehogs has launched a special "hosprickal" appeal to expand its capacity.

The West Midlands Hedgehog rescue, run by Joan Lockley, from Leveson Avenue, Cheslyn Hay, has been inundated with hedgehogs this year, and the rise in numbers has stretched the charity to her limit.

At the moment, she is keeping dozens of hedgehogs inside her own home because she is running out of space in the outdoor hospital shed.

So with the help of husband and administrator Steve Lockley they have launched an appeal to find £4,000 to build a new ward two for the hedgehog hospital.

A new shed with electricity and heaters will cost £4,000 and Joan is desperate to find a local business who could help or people willing to donate. The 64-year-old said she has cared for 250 hedgehogs this year already, compared with 140 last year.

In one weekend recently, she took in seven hedgehogs on the Saturday and four more on the Sunday.

She said: "We opened our Hedgehog Hosprickal this summer but the centre has been overwhelmed.

"Despite having 35 hedgehogs in care, we could manage the numbers but we just do not have the space to house them all.

"You can't put hedgehogs from different litters together; it is just too stressful."

To help, she has enlisted the support of foster carers, and volunteers have come forward from the Badgers Trust, the Staffordshire Mammal Group, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and Rodbaston College. Mrs Lockley added: "We pride ourselves on not turning hedgehogs away. We have kept hedgehogs from the weekend in various boxes in our dining room but this is not a practical, long-term solution.

"This unexpected increase in hedgehog numbers has surprised us.

"We need to add extra space to let us continue to look after all of the hedgehogs that come to us."

A new outdoor shed would have space for 15 extra hutches and double the capabilities of the rescue centre.

Anyone who can help with cash, goods or services can contact the charity on 01922 419532.

More details about the charity can be found at www.west-midlands-hedgehogs.co.uk