A RENOWNED wildlife rescue centre has launched a £30,000 Christmas appeal to help the fast growing need for more treatment and rehabilitation.

Oak and Furrows centre, moved to the 600-acre Blakehill Nature Reserve, at Leigh, near Cricklade, from Somerford Keynes, near Cirencester, around eight months ago.

It now urgently needs a new rehabilitation area, with a rock pool, river plants, reeds foraging area, aviaries, a shelter, plants for birds and mammals, including otters, water voles, swans and ducks, plus a special unit for sick and injured seagulls and a secure double door access system.

The cost for all the work and facilities is estimated at £30,000 – with the unit required in advance of next spring and summer when the number of wildlife requiring treatment and veterinary care increases dramatically.

The largest sum desperately needed is £22,000 for a four wheel drive animal ambulance. The cost will inevitably rise by at least £2,000 with the special equipment required within the vehicle for the various animals and birds it will be required to take for treatment and rehabilitation.

It will replace an ancient ambulance, no longer fit for purpose. The additional equipment will include specialist mammal traps, catch poles, nets, special gauntlets and gloves to protect rescuers’ hands, plus towels, blankets, heat pads and hot water bottles to ensure the “patients” are kept warm.

An additional CCTV is also needed. Although a friend of Oak and Furrows donated an initial CCTV further system, items are required within the rehabilitation units to check up on the health progress of rescued animals and birds without disturbing them.

It is estimated the additional systems will exceed £3,000.

Communications adviser Robin Thompson, who has joined the team on a pro-bono basis,said: “It is an outstanding centre and the staff and volunteers really deserve our help for the magnificent work they do.

“I was stunned to learn that the number of mammals and birds cared for in a single year is 3,000 and growing.

“Oak and Furrows is basically not open to the public, because it is an amazing hospital for wildlife. But groups are welcome to visit to the education centre and see a film about the extraordinary commitment of the people and to meet some of the patients such as hedgehogs, small birds and occasionally fox cubs.

"Many schools visit the centre, and other groups totalling no more than 25 people at a time are very welcome, but must book in advance via the team on 01793 751412.”

Oak and Furrows also needs further trustees to support its continued growth and constantly requires a wide range of items from bedding – blankets, fleeces, towels, pillow cases, duvet covers, sheets, tea towels, flannels, newspapers, hay and straw - to food such as wet kitten/puppy food, puppy milk, cat/dog food, cat/dog biscuits, ferret biscuits, wild bird seed, peanuts, mixed nuts, chick crumb, poultry corn, rabbit food, dried mealworms and egg biscuit.

General items such as small dishes, plastic containers, kitchen rolls, washing up liquid, washing powder, sponge scourers, dish cloths, hand sanitisers and postage stamps are also needed.

Oak and Furrows, whose patrons are poet Pam Ayres and former broadcaster and otter promoter Daphne Neville, is at Blakehill Nature Reserve, Malmesbury Road, Leigh, Cricklade, SN6 6RH. The email address is info@oandf.co.uk. The website is at www.oandf.co.uk. Oak and Furrows is a registered charity, number 1115928.