Families learn more about hedgehogs

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An interested child stroking Bertha the hedgehog with Sue Lewis

Families were able to learn more about hedgehogs at a special “Meet the Hedgehogs” day at the Hollingworth Lake visitors centre today (Saturday 9 October 2010).

Children, and parents, were able to stroke Bertha the hedgehog whilst learning more about the care she and others need.

The two day event, held by the Rochdale Hedgehog Rescue Society, is to raise awareness about the animals, as well as raising funds for the Hedgehog hospital in Shawclough.

Sue Lewis, founder of the organisation, explained the aims of the event, she said: “When it comes to hibernation, we want to raise awareness about what to feed them, how to look after them and so on.

“When it comes to the fundraising we are hoping to raise as much as we can to put into the running of the hospital, it costs £35,000 a year to run and it is getting harder each year, all charities are struggling.”

Ms Lewis set up the society twenty years ago because she found a hedgehog and had nowhere to take it – the society grew from there and on average about 1500 hedgehogs a year are taken to the hospital.

The aim is to rehabilitate them and release them back into the wild, but that isn't always be the case.

Bertha, the hedgehog on show today, has three legs following a nasty accident and would struggle to survive in the wild so Ms Lewis uses her to help educate both children and adults throughout the borough.

Speaking about the day Ms Lewis said: “I have been doing this venue for years, lots of people know I am here so it gets very busy, for some people it is a first time experience, but everyone is keen to learn.”

Aside from being able to stroke Bertha visitors could donate money, buy wildlife gifts or have a go on the tombola.

Tomorrow (Sunday 10 October 2010) Ms Lewis will be holding a talk at the visitors centre at 2.30pm called “Preparing for winter.”