'We are going through the toughest patch of our history' - animal and bird sanctuary in Kibworth needs our help

An animal and bird sanctuary in the Harborough district is urging people – please help us now.

Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital at Kibworth Beauchamp is sending out a heartfelt plea to people as it fights to survive the devastating coronavirus pandemic.

Angie Downham, who opened the under-pressure refuge in 1984, said: “We are very busy here at the moment – and we need all the help that we can get.

“We are coming into our peak time for admissions and we are going through the toughest patch of our history.”

She added: “We are looking after up to 300 birds alone.

“We are caring for everything from buzzards to owls, blackbirds, thrushes, robins and sparrows.

“We have just had a beautiful hobby, a bird of prey, in as well as a fantastic peregrine falcon.

“We are taking care of baby rabbits and ducklings as well as about 65 hedgehogs – so it’s all go.”

Angie is appealing to people to urgently donate bird food.

“The more bird food we can get the better.

“You are actually able to visit us here now,” she stressed.

“So please park up and just drop your donation over the fence for us.

“We also always take dog food for our hogs but it’s got to be of the loaf pate variety.

“The gravy and jelly types just go straight through the poor things!”

Angie, who takes in sick and injured wildlife from all over the East Midlands and beyond, said they have been shattered by the Covid-19 crisis.

“We have clearly not been able to do our usual fundraising.

“Coffee mornings, raffles, sponsored events, get togethers are normally our very lifeblood,” said the Good Samaritan wildlife enthusiast.

“We’ve not been able to do any of that – and it’s looking very bleak for the rest of this year.

“But we are still forking out £7,000 a month just to keep our doors open.

“That huge amount goes on electricity, vets’ bills, food, removing our waste and for so many other things too.

“So we need all the help and support we can muster.

“We are just about ticking over and keeping our heads above water.

“But if the brilliant people of Harborough and South Leicestershire can help us look after local wildlife in any way, shape or form we would be very grateful.”

If you would like to support Angie and her dedicated team then please visit Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital’s website at: http://www.leicesterwildlifehospital.org/helping-us/

You can also find out more about the hospital, a shining beacon for injured and sick local wildlife, on their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/leicestershire.wildlife.hospital/

You will find the wildlife hospital at the back of Birds Barn on Fleckney Road on the outskirts of Kibworth Beauchamp.