Meet a hedgehog

Peter Jackson, Sue Lewis and Susan Conway of Rochdale Hedgehog Rescue Centre

Rochdale Hedgehog Rescue Centre allowed visitors to Hollingworth Lake Visitors Centre to meet a hedgehog and barn owl today (Sunday 13 September) in an effort to raise funds to support the centre.

The Centre currently cares for 170 hedgehogs and receives no government funding to run the organisation. The work of volunteers is relied upon to maintain high standards of care.

Former Trustee and now volunteer, Joan Carter, said: “It is difficult to say how much we can raise at one of these events. Ideally we would like a couple of hundred pounds.”

The centre opened in 1991 after founder Sue Lewis found an underweight hedgehog outside of her home.

“We try and attend as many events as possible to help raise money,” added Joan.

Today’s visitors could meet two hedgehogs and a barn owl.

Joan said: “A lot of children have been interested in the animals and they have been getting involved.”

As well as the animals, tombola and pick-a-lolly were being played and the volunteers were selling home-made stocking fillers.

Founder of the centre, Sue Lewis said: “We desperately need donations. Our donations are down by 75%.”