Dear Supporters and Friends,
As the summer draws to a close, we at Runham Wildlife Rescue want to take a moment to reflect on the past few months and extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported us. Whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word about our work, your generosity has made a significant impact on the lives of the animals in our care.
Summer Highlights and Rescues
Summer has been incredibly eventful at Runham Wildlife Rescue, with a whirlwind of wildlife intakes, releases, and some exciting updates! Here’s a glimpse into what’s been happening at our rescue center over the past few months.
Our rescue has been facing challenges with outdated and damaged vet caging. To ensure efficient rehabilitation, we need to raise £700 for new cages. We also welcome any help with building a portable bat flight for our dehydrated bat and other handy services.
We received a wide variety of animals including wood pigeons, doves, feral pigeons, hedgehogs, a robin, starlings, a squirrel, sparrows, jackdaws, rooks, a pheasant, a mouse, a bat, a fox, and even a partridge. Each animal has unique needs, and our team has worked hard to provide specialised care.
Guillemot Rescue (19th June): This bird was underweight but has shown significant improvement after being cared for in a 12ft diving pool. It will be released soon, weather permitting.
Chinese Water Deer (18th June): Two juvenile deer were rescued, with one suffering from severe fly strike. Both are receiving the necessary care.
Hedgehog with Facial Injuries (18th June): A hedgehog with a deep laceration, likely from entrapment, is on antibiotics and receiving wound care.
We had a heartwarming moment when a swallow, a long-distance migrant from the UK to Africa, found itself trapped in a 40-meter building. Thankfully, with quick thinking and a bit of patience, we managed to capture and relocate the little bird safely back outside. Swallows are fascinating creatures, known for their impressive migration and insect-eating habits. It’s always a joy to help these small marvels.
Gull Season Frenzy
June has been a challenging month with a high number of gull rescues. We have tended to 42 gulls, bringing the total to 47 for the month. Regrettably, some were beyond saving. This surge in rescues underscores the need for donations, as these birds consume significant food resources during rehabilitation. While we appreciate the 11 donations received, further support is needed to meet their requirements. It's gull season once more! We are swamped with gull chicks requiring care after tumbling from roofs or getting into mischief. Gulls, being early self-feeders, demand minimal interaction, offering some respite compared to other patients. Our current needs include dry and wet cat food, fish products, and other foods that replicate their natural diet. Donations are vital for sustaining their substantial dietary needs.
We’ve also been busy with various birds, including a black-headed gull and some kittiwakes. The gull’s wing injury was a challenge, but he’s now on the mend and ready for some exercise in the aviary.
The kittiwakes are nearing their release, and we’re preparing them for their return to the wild with necessary salt baths to maintain their waterproofing.
On a related note, our new hospital equipped with a veterinary practice is almost ready to be unveiled. We can't wait to show you what all our hard work and dedication have been leading to. Stay tuned for the big announcement!
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Recent Releases and Intakes
We’ve successfully released several ducklings and hedgehogs back into the wild. While some have found their way home, others are still in our care, with ongoing treatment for various issues.
A gannet brought in after high winds was suffering from low core temperature but is now recovering well. Did you know that gannets dive from heights of up to 30 meters to catch their prey?
Roe Deer: A heartbreaking case involved a young roe deer found beside her deceased mother. She’s now in care with PACT for further treatment.
Fox Cub: A fox cub found tangled in an allotment is receiving medical care for abrasions and parasites. Donations towards its rehabilitation are much appreciated.
We've had quite a few interesting cases recently. One memorable story involves a pheasant we successfully treated for bumblefoot. After a lengthy treatment process, he’s now ready to return to his home. It’s always rewarding to see our patients recover and be released back into the wild.
Our hedgehogs are doing well, and we're seeing some great progress. We’re continually amazed by their resilience. Daily tasks like weighing, cleaning, and providing heat therapy are crucial in their rehabilitation process. We’re always in need of supplies to keep up with the care, so any donations of cat food, bedding materials, or financial contributions are immensely appreciated. You can donate via PayPal at PayPal.me/runhamwildliferescue](http://PayPal.me/runhamwildliferescue).
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Community Support
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported us with donations and volunteer work. Your contributions are crucial as we work to expand our facilities and enhance the care we offer to our wildlife patients. We are incredibly grateful for the community support we receive:
- Jamie Wellswept Chimney Sweep helped rescue a bird stuck in a chimney.
- Great North Beach Parkrun and Filby Village Charity Shop have generously supported us with funds and supplies.
- John Grant School provided much-needed financial support for our hedgehog caging.
Special thanks to Kurt Moore Designs for designing a new vinyl for our shop window!
Neil Davidson's Fundraising Journey: Walking the Icknield Way for Runham Wildlife Rescue
Neil Davidson's words, "Nothing worth doing is ever easy," resonate deeply with his recent challenge—walking the Icknield Way, a 110-mile long-distance trail, to raise funds for Runham Wildlife Rescue. This arduous journey from Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire to Knettishall Heath in Suffolk was no small feat, and it was done with one goal in mind: to support the vital work of Runham Wildlife Rescue.
On June 9th, Neil embarked on this unsupported trek, aiming to complete it over several days, with the hope of raising much-needed funds for the wildlife charity. The Icknield Way, with its rugged terrain and unpredictable weather, tested his endurance and determination. Yet, despite the challenges, Neil remained committed, spurred on by the generosity of those who supported him.
Neil expressed his gratitude to everyone who offered words of encouragement and donated to his cause. He also emphasized the importance of Runham Wildlife Rescue, a small but dedicated charity that rehabilitates injured wildlife and educates the public on the importance of biodiversity. For Neil, these small organizations are the unsung heroes, providing critical care to wildlife in need and ensuring they have a second chance at life.
Throughout his journey, Neil faced numerous obstacles, including chilly, damp weather and a lack of facilities along the trail. However, he found solace in the kindness of strangers, such as the complimentary coffee he received at the Crown House in Great Chesterford, and he remained focused on his mission.
As of now, Neil has raised £620, surpassing his initial target of £500, with donations coming from both online contributions and cash donations from neighbors. He continues to encourage others to donate, reminding us all that every contribution, no matter the size, helps support the invaluable work of Runham Wildlife Rescue.
If you haven't yet donated, there is still time to support this worthy cause. You can visit Neil's GoFundMe page at https://gofund.me/1fb6f0b3](https://gofund.me/1fb6f0b3) to make a contribution. Your donation will go directly to helping the dedicated team at Runham Wildlife Rescue continue their important work of rehabilitating injured wild animals and birds.
Thank you to everyone who has supported Neil and Runham Wildlife Rescue. Your generosity is making a real difference in the lives of the animals they care for.
We’re still buzzing from the success of the Ormesby Fete. Despite the rain, our stall managed to raise £200 for Runham Wildlife Rescue. A massive thank you to everyone who braved the weather and supported us. Special thanks to all the volunteers who made it possible!
Also, our thanks to Bernadette, Tony, and Sue, who braved the drizzly weather to run the games stall. They managed to bring in some profit and provide children with cool prizes, despite the challenging conditions.
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Our shop is in urgent need of both new and second-hand wildlife-themed items for our lucky dip and raffle. We’re looking for:
- Bee bombs, bird houses, bird baths
- Hedgehog houses, insect hotels
- Garden ornaments, gift sets, seed packets
- Wildlife-related stationary, clothing
- Craft items like flower pressing, gift cards, crochet animals
- Educational books on wildlife
- Vouchers, fake plants, vases, and pots
All proceeds help support the animals in our care and fund our new hospital. Donations can be dropped off in the Ormesby area, or local pick-up can be arranged
Your support means the world to us. Whether it’s through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word about our efforts, you’re making a huge difference. If you’d like to get involved or contribute, please visit our PayPal page or reach out to us directly.
Lastly, just a reminder for anyone considering donations or offering help: please coordinate with us first if you have items like roadkill, as we’re currently limited on freezer space and storage.
Thank you all for your continued support and understanding. Together, we’re making a positive impact on the lives of countless animals.
Contact Us: For donations, volunteering, or any inquiries, please PM us or email directly.
For more updates and to follow our work, visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/runhamwildliferescue
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How You Can Help
We continue to need donations for food, medical supplies, and cage replacements. Your support is vital for our ongoing efforts to care for injured and orphaned wildlife. Donations can be made via:
- Bank Transfer: Account Name: RUNHAM WILDLIFE RESC; Sort Code: 53-50-03; Account Number: 49190369
Every little bit helps and goes a long way in supporting the animals in our care.
With gratitude,
The Runham Wildlife Rescue Team
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