A LUDLOW animal rescue charity says that money raised by Mayor Tim Gill will be a lifeline.

The charity was nominated as one of his charities for 2019 and the donation is particularly welcome at the moment when lives have changed so much but wildlife continues to need care.

Like many other hedgehog and wildlife rescue centres across the country Pricklebums continues to operate during the Covid-19 shutdown.

“It’s a very difficult time for us,” said founder Ailie Hill.

“When the lockdown was announced we were busy releasing back to the wild hedgehogs that had been in care over the winter.

“Since then hedgehogs in our gardens have come out of hibernation and some of them are coming to us for care – they obviously don’t know that we are in lockdown. We just have to find a way to continue to help them.

“As more people are at home with more time for gardening, we have, I’m afraid to say, seen some horrible injuries and despite our best efforts many just don’t survive. The last week has been particularly hard with several severely injured animals that we could do nothing for.

“We cannot hold any fundraising events so our income, like all charities, is a mere fraction of what we need to be able to continue.

“It is stressful not knowing whether we will have the funds to continue our work.

“We are running very short on supplies after a very busy winter, we always have large vets bills each month and of course there are the usual costs for electricity, water and food.”

These are difficult times for many but the charity is looking for supporters who are able to donate even a small amount each month so that its future is secure and it can look forward to continuing to help the hedgehogs that need care.

It is also a very difficult time for hedgehogs because of loss of habitat.

To find out how to make a donation look at the 'Support Us' section of the charity’s website.