New fundraising effort launched to rescue an embattled Kibworth bird and animal haven amid the Covid-19 crisis

A new fundraising effort has been launched to rescue an embattled Kibworth bird and animal haven amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Sammy Parsons has launched the scheme to generate critically-needed cash for Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital at Kibworth.

She’s acting as the vital hospital, the only one of its type for miles around, fights to survive after being battered by the shattering coronavirus emergency.

Sammy has so far hit £1,743 as she battles to rake in £7,000 – the amount it costs to stay open every month – at the much-loved centre where she works.

She tells supporters in an emotion-charged message: “The Wildlife Hospital desperately needs your help to allow the staff and volunteers to continue doing the life-saving work of rescuing, rehabilitating, and then releasing wild animals when they cannot help themselves.

“We take in sick, injured and orphaned wild species to help give these animals a second chance at life when accidents and illnesses occur.

“Please donate.

“Any contribution, big or small, will help the wildlife hospital to continue to help British wild species.”

Sammy adds: “A massive thank you to all that have already donated to Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital.

“We are extremely grateful for your contribution.

“The hospital costs around £7000 a month just to keep its doors open and continue providing the valuable service to wild animals and birds.

“This is without the added expense of lifesaving equipment.

“We are extremely grateful for all your help and without it the wildlife hospital faces an uncertain future.”

Harriet Childs, one of Sammy’s colleagues and a team leader at the complex at the rear of Birds Barn on Fleckney Road, rammed home her message.

“We urgently need every donation we can get at the moment.

“Whether it’s money, bird and animal food, newspapers or what ever else – we would love to hear from you,” she told the Harborough Mail.

“We have been absolutely hammered by the Covid-19 pandemic over the last few weeks.

“We have obviously had to suspend all our usual fundraising efforts – barn dances, coffee mornings, raffles and the like.

“But we are still being forced to fork out for food, vets’ bills, electricity and everything else.

“So we are going through a very tough time and we can do with all the help and support we can get.”

Harriet said they are just starting to return to some sort of normality as the lockdown eases slightly.

“We had a great response after the last story about us went in the Harborough Mail.

“We really appreciate the support that local people right across Harborough are giving to us,” she said.

“Our stalwart volunteers are just beginning to come in and help out again after the three of us on the staff here had to do everything.

“We didn’t have a day off for weeks, it was that hectic!

“We are also starting to take in new patients again.

“But we are asking people to text us first so we can give them definite time slots.

“It’s good to be opening up again.

“But our bills will start to rise as we look after more birds, hedgehogs and other animals.

“So please get behind us and help us as much as you can – we are very grateful.”

You can support Sammy’s fundraising appeal by visiting her gofundme page here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/bdnp9s-help-usAnd you can find out more about Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital by clicking on their website here: http://www.leicesterwildlifehospital.org