To mark Hedgehog Awareness Week (2nd – 8th May 2021), Harron Homes Yorkshire has donated £400 towards the rescue and rehabilitation of hedgehogs across Yorkshire.
The donation has been divided between Shelley Hedgehogs, which is close to Highfield Manor in Huddersfield, and Pricklington Palace in Howden near our York Vale Gardens development.
Shelley Hedgehogs is run by Mel Fitton and is located in the village of Shelley, West Yorkshire. After volunteering and training with Meltham Wildlife Rescue, Mel quickly realised her passion for wildlife, particularly hedgehogs, and in 2019 founded Shelley Hedgehogs.
“Shelley Hedgehogs started out with six to eight hedgehogs, but quickly grew in numbers. As time has gone on, more and more hedgehogs are in need of care and rehabilitation”, said Mel. “Last year alone, we took in over 100 hedgehogs, which is why I think it is so important to raise awareness of the plight of these truly unique animals.”
Mel continued: “I am so grateful to Harron for this very kind donation. As a rescue, we rely solely on donations, so this will go a long way in caring for the hedgehogs here at Shelley Hedgehogs.”
Gill Dixon has nurtured hedgehogs for over four years at Pricklington Palace, campaigning for change to protect the UK’s only spikey indigenous mammal. Pricklington Palace cared for almost 300 hedgehogs last year alone.
According to the charity Hedgehog Street, an organisation campaigning for the protection of hedgehogs, the UK has already lost over half its countryside population of hedgehogs since the millennium.
Harron has installed Hedgehog Highways at a number of developments which will allow hedgehogs to navigate the development safely and pass-through homeowners’ gardens. Harron has also been recognised as a hedgehog-friendly developer by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society.
Alison Taylor-Shaw, Sales and Marketing Director for Harron Homes Yorkshire, said: “We are really pleased to be able to contribute to the work of the sanctuaries in the protection of these wonderful animals. We are committed to making our developments animal safe and friendly, and we take the preservation of wildlife very seriously.”
Hedgehog Awareness Week was founded by the British Hedgehog Prevention Society, for more information about the Society or Hedgehog Awareness Week, please visit https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/hedgehog-awareness-week-2021/.
For details on how to make your own hedgehog highway and other things you can do in your garden to help, please visit https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/.