We, the ‘Wildlife Waders’, are a small group of Moray-based sea dippers who have come together to raise funds for the two specialised wildlife charities whose work covers the entire North of Scotland. The two centres are equidistant from Forres, one to the north, the other south east. Their geographical remit includes the whole of the Highlands, Moray, and Aberdeenshire. These charities are:

- Highland Wildlife Rescue

- The New Arc

Neither charity receives any government funding and 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 have experienced a sudden influx of calls and wildlife admissions (often with transport complications) since the Scottish SPCA announced last month 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 have destroyed 34,000 acres of moorland and woodland, impacting people, property, livestock, and wildlife, with many birds and animals were unable to escape the fires The scale of this devastation is almost impossible to process.

To give some 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. Supporting staff to do their job. at such a busy time, will have a huge impact.

Please give generously to support the work of both Highland Wildlife Rescue and The New Arc. Monies raised will be split equally between the charities.

In addition to this Justgiving fundraiser, the Wildlife Waders are holding a COFFEE MORNING on 16th August at Forres Town Hall, from 10am-12pm. Come along and show your support! There will be loads of STALLS, lots of cake and a varied selection of generously-donated RAFFLE prizes from local businesses. Also:

* 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 (worth at least £250) by Ellen Lindsay, genealogist

* vouchers worth £100 for Gordon & McPhail

* A signed copy of Gordon Buchanan's book

……….

... 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."