Dear Friends

This time we have another PB. I completed the marathon in 3 hours 46 minutes and 35 seconds, and your generous support helped us to collect more money than ever to save the hedgehogs. This year 143 of them were rescued. Please keep up the good work!

The Hebredian Islands of North and South Uist and Benbecula are the important breeding areas for wading birds. Their population has dropped - unfortunately; it is possible that a contributing factor is that hedgehogs eat their eggs. The Uist Wader Project decided to KILL all the hedgehogs, which were initially introduced to the island by people in the seventies to control garden slugs.

We believe firmly that relocation of the hedgehogs to the mainland is a far preferable solution than unnecessary extermination, and carry out a rescue every year to counter the killing.

The groups responsible for the killing had planned to track hedgehogs down with dogs and shoot them. Following public outrage and many complaints, these barbaric plans were shelved for the time being. Hedgehogs are still killed by lethal injection after being found using lamps.

More and more people are willing to help us with relocation, so now we can do better than before (www.justgiving.com/hedgehogs2004 www.justgiving.com/hedgehogs2005). Please keep it going!

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure and will help save hedgehogs from the clutches of the killers. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us. The British Hedgehog Preservation Society will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no extra cost to you. For more information on this killing and the resulting rescues please see www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk Many thanks for your support!