WRAS’s has launched it Ambulance Appeal this week. We have four veterinary ambulances which are kept pretty busy.
Their use increases every year and the number of miles they do means they don’t lasting as long as they used to. Losing one of our ambulances will be hard to cope with. The vehicle in question is used a lot at night for rapid response. Being a small organisation we achieve big things, but this is only thanks to the huge effort being put in by our rescuers and care team.
The new ambulance will not only enable WRAS to continue its life saving service, but will save valuable funds by being more economical, fuel efficient and reduce maintenance costs.
Many people don’t have transport or can’t drive and some people have phobias, and WRAS regularly comes to their aid. Members of the public can’t be expected to picked up and handle badgers, foxes, swans and other hazardous wildlife, so these creatures rely on WRAS to be there for them.
So please help us keep our ambulances on the road. We are not just another animal charity, we benefit the community, humans and animals.
Donations can be made by calling 01825873003 during office hours, or online at www.wildlifeambulance.org, or by post making cheques payable to “East Sussex WRAS” to: Ambulance Appeal, East Sussex WRAS, PO Box 2148, Seaford, East Sussex, BN25 9DE.
Calls this week have included a number of emergency calls, including rushing out to a road casualty fox on the A2270 at Willingdon; a goose which crash landed at Fletching Common; an injured fox at Kings Park, Eastbourne; an injured gull in Baldwin Aveue, Eastbourne, as well as an injured bat was collected from St Annes Vets in Eastbourne. We had yet another crash landing young swan in from Netherfield Avenue, Eastbourne, running a temperature. It stayed in for observation for 48 hours, but made a full recovery and was released back at Princes Park, Eastbourne.
We also have a new road casualty Tawny Owl in rescued on the A22 between Golden Cross and Lower Dicker. The poor owl is recovering but needs to have its vision checked by our vets this week.
We have managed to release a very loved up pair of young feral pigeons this week back in Eastbourne, as well as a mouse in Eastbourne and a rabbit in Bolney. Two of our hand-reared wood pigeons have moved out to their release aviary this week.
One of our hedgehogs has gone out for soft release and two hedgehogs were released back in their gardens. These may well be the last of the long term hogs to be released before spring now, although we will still release large adult short term patients if the weather is suitable. The buzzard from Ringmer has now been released back to the wild. It happened too late to write in last week’s column, but it was great to see it released and fly off so strongly.
What an evening we all had at WRAS’s Halloween Unusual Quiz Night last weekend. It was well attended and raised loads of money too. I would like to thank Brian, Monica and Sue for their help on the door and in the kitchen, as well as to Laura, Chris, Kirsti and Kathy for working behind the scenes and with handing out objects as well as at the bar. There were some great costumes, unusual questions and tasks too! Can wait for the next one!
WRAS will be having a Christmas celebration on Friday December 12, from 7pm till 11pm, at the Cumberland Hotel on Eastbourne Seafront. There will be a buffet service, musical entertainment, magician, caricaturist, and more. Tickets are £17.50 per person, in aid of our much loved local wildlife. Tickets are available by calling 01825-873003 and speaking to Lindsay or via e-mail Lindsay@eastsussexwras.org.uk