We, the ‘Wildlife Waders’, are Moray-based sea dippers and raising funds for the two wildlife charities covering the entire North of Scotland. This Justgiving page is to raise money for The New Arc, whose geographical remit includes Moray, and Aberdeenshire. We have separately organised a coffee morning for Highland Wildlife Rescue, with some amazing raffle prizes, on Sat 16th August, 10am-12pm, Forres Town Hall - see photo

Neither The New Arc nor Highland Wildlife Rescue receive any government funding, both rely heavily on volunteers and public donations. Whilst they are separate organisations they are closely affiliated and have regular contact, working around the clock for a range of wildlife casualties. Photos attached show examples of their work.

Both charities experienced a sudden influx of calls and wildlife admissions (often with transport complications) since the Scottish SPCA recently announced that it will no longer attend incidents involving injured birds and small mammals, nor provide onsite euthanasia for catastrophically injured or sick wildlife. This, at what is already their busiest time of year.

Since this SSPCA change, the public are asked to seek treatment for injured or unwell birds and small mammals themselves, by taking them to a local vet or a local wildlife centre. This is impractical, sometimes impossible, meaning wildlife can suffer unnecessarily. Both charities have been seriously impacted.

The timing of our fundraiser also coincides with recent, devastating wildfires, which destroyed over 27 ,000 acres of habitat, with many birds and animals being impacted. The scale of this devastation is almost impossible to process. Wildlife was also massively impacted by storm Floris, with The New Arc having 30 new admissions on Monday alone.

To give an idea of centre costs, orphaned hedgehog infants and juveniles require care for 4 to 10 weeks depending on health, and each takes up a precious space. Just one of the range of foods for weaning is a 195g tin of high-calorie mousse and a single tray of 12 tins (see photo) costs over £30. This illustration is just one food for one species, never mind the vast numbers of birds and other animals on both sites.

Patients can be sick, starving, dehydrated, emaciated, entangled, or injured. Both centres rely on professional veterinary expertise and support for diagnoses, medications, operations and follow-up check. Both Centres have ongoing veterinary bills to pay and they ensure all casualties needing vet care receive it.

Caring staff at both these critical Rescues see and deal with unimaginable injuries. This, in addition to the relentless feeding schedules, intake duties, triage and critical care for the most unwell patients., takes its toll. Any funds we can raise to support staff to do their jobs, at such a busy time, will have a hugely positive impact.

Please give generously to support the work of Highland Wildlife Rescue and The New Arc.

If you are able, please also come along to our COFFEE MORNING on 16th August at Forres Town Hall, from 10am-12pm. There will be loads of stalls, home baking and cake any many amazing and generously-donated RAFFLE prizes, including:

* 2 tickets to see Hamza Yassin (British wildlife cameraman, wildlife presenter and Strictly series winner 2022) at Eden Court

* 6 hours of professional family history research (genealogy) worth at least £250, by Ellen Lindsay

* £100 voucher - Gordon & McPhail

* Signed copy of Gordon Buchanan's book

* Many vouchers from local businesses

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... now for the Justgiving blurb ...

"Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity."