Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue have launched a fundraiser after the team experienced a mechanical setback with their animal ambulance, leaving them off the road until further notice.
The team regularly travel far beyond North East Lincolnshire to ensure local wildlife can reach the best care available. The van is routinely used for water rescues, rescues at heights, and for accessing hazardous areas, allowing volunteers to save hundreds of lives every year. Almost every seal, deer, and fox call requires the use of a wildlife ambulance, meaning that at the moment, volunteers have been left unable to attend any emergencies.
Speaking to Gi Grimsby News, a spokesperson for the organisation explained their situation. They said: “We really have tried to put this off for as long as we can, but as it becomes more and more unreliable, it’s just become a need.
“It’s had parts replaced in the engine bay, which cost over £1000, a service brought up more issues that needed repair, in October it had a repair at £800, in November the indicator switch stopped working, this was quoted at £530 to repair, but thankfully, we managed to fix this from a friend, then the recent MOT failure is quoted again at over £500! It’s just not possible to keep up with this as a voluntary service, which relies on donations to save animals, and not vans.”
In a statement shared on their page, Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue added: “We know this is a big ask, but vans are expensive, and without one, we won’t be able to provide the level of service to wildlife that you see us commit to daily.”
So far the appeal has raised £310 of the £8,000 required to get Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue back on the road. You can donate here.
