Hedgehog Rescue Blackpool Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Charity No: 1188161
Third Annual Report February 2023
The inspiration for our logo came from a very special hedgehog Treacle, when he was found he had neurological problems and Jean helped him back to walking and eating on his own. Part of his recuperation including hydrotherapy in a bath!
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Hedgehog Rescue Blackpool Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Registered Charity No: 1188161
Trustees: Date Appointed Jean Turner Chair January 2020 David Brange January 2020 Patt Trow February 2021
Address: 310 St Annes Road, Blackpool, FY4 2QP
Email: hedgehogrescueblackpool@gmail.com Website: www.hedgehogrescueblackpool1.simplesite.com
Hedgehog Rescue Blackpool is run and operated by its founder Jean Turner and a valuable team of volunteers and approved foster carers.
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History
In 2015 Jean began helping sick and injured Hedgehogs in her home on a very small scale. After a year of helping Hedgehogs, Jean decided to invest her own money in specialised equipment which enabled her to expand. This increased the number of Hedgehog's that could benefit from Jean's love and care. On the 24th February 2020, we officially became a registered charity giving us the opportunity to raise the much-needed funds for additional equipment, food, vets fees and medication.
Challenges
In July 2020 the British Hedgehog preservation Society (BHPS) stated “hedgehogs have now been included in the Red List for British Mammals”. This is an official acknowledgement that hedgehogs are vulnerable to extinction.
We’re living in an increasingly urban world. Building developments and new roads are announced every day to ‘meet the demand’ for housing and infrastructure. This creates barriers of traffic, walls, fences and over-tidy outdoor spaces – shrinking the hedgehogs natural environment. Often they are no longer able to safely hunt, hibernate and nest making it nigh impossible to find a suitable habitat.
Gardens are crucial for the survival of hedgehogs, but with the unfriendly gardens which have walls, fences, paving, decking and Astro turf. Fewer gardens have grass, trees and plants meaning hedgehogs can no longer live their normal garden lifestyle.
This has been demonstrated in the number of hedgehogs we are rescuing as they are no longer able to live in the wild. In October 2022 we had over 40 hedgehogs in the centre, at this time of year they should be hibernating for the winter. Climate change has also played its part making our weather generally warmer.
We are in the middle of an economic crisis and this means that people have less disposable income to give to charities. We have found people are more reluctant to bring the hedgehogs into the centre themselves due to the increase in the cost of petrol.
Fundraising
In order to raise funds for the charity one of our kind volunteers designed and made Christmas cards and calendars. The sales of the calendars and cards were quite successful and this year we are going to increase the number we print and hopefully sell to a wider audience. Our online ‘Just Giving’site is proving to be successful. Mel, one of our volunteers and her friend held a sponsored step exercise event which was very well supported.
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One Special Little Fundraiser
A little girl Hannah, was so inspired by the work of our Rescue Centre she along with her two friends did a 3.2 mile sponsored walk from North to South Pier and raised £620-00. This came about as her family had discovered hedgehogs living in their garden. When they discovered two of the hedgehogs were unwell, (Elsa Rainbow and Supergirl) they brought them into our rescue centre. When Elsa Rainbow gained 200 grams she was able to be released back into Hannah’s garden. However, Supergirl stayed with us and gave birth to three babies. Supergirl had originally been called Spike, but was renamed when it was discovered she was a girl.
This is Elsa Rainbow one of the hedgehogs that Hannah looked after in her garden. Hannah’s family created a house and a feeding station for the other hedgehogs that lived in their garden.
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This is Jamie Sniffer, one of the three Albino hedgehogs found last year. However, this year, within the space of a month three came into the rescue centre all found within a mile of each other.
Albino hedgehogs are incredibly rare. Only one hog in a 100,000 are born with the recessive gene meaning they have no melanin pigment in their eyes, spine or skin.
This is Kiwi who was found in a field not Moving. She was a very poorly hedgehog – only weighing 265 grams, suffering from lungworm, roundworm and fluke. Kiwi was given medication, fluids and placed on a heat pad. Sadly she did not survive, but knowing that we had made her comfortable and safe makes what we do so worthwhile.
We would like to acknowledge everyone who has been involved with The Hedgehog Rescue Blackpool for their support, dedication and ongoing commitment to the rescue and rehabilitation of local hedgehogs. Special thanks to Steven from SGR Accounting Solutions who once again offered his services to us free of charge. We look forward to the future and continuing our essential work protecting this precious species.
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On behalf of the hedgehogs a very big thank you to you all
Blackpool Hedgehog Rescue Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Charity No: 1188161
Profit & Loss Account for the year ending February 2023
| INCOME | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Donations | 7218.83 | 8632.31 |
| Grants | 1750.00 | |
| Fundraising | 3764.79 | 192.00 |
| TOTAL INCOME | 10983.62 | 10574.31 |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Vets Fees & Medication | 4661.70 | 3387.53 |
| Cleaning & Bedding | 807.68 | 583.81 |
| Food | 1631.11 | 1750.16 |
| Stationery Website | 691.44 | 88.32 |
| Incubators/Air Conditioning | 2711.69 | 0.00 |
| Microscopes | 558.98 | |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | 11062.60 | 5809.82 |
| SURPLUS/LOSS | -78.98 | 4764.49 |
| Balance Sheet as at 28 February | 2023 | |
| Current Assets - Bank | 5386.09 | 5465.07 |
| Reserves | ||
| Brought Forward | 5465.07 | 700.58 |
| Surplus for the year | -78.98 | 4764.49 |
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Total Funds 5386.09 5465.07