Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue faces uncertainty over its future after being given notice to leave its site in the next 12 months.
The animal charity rents land at a farm in Blewbury, near Didcot, but it has been told by landlords they will need to leave the premises by October 2024 due to ambiguity with the future of the farm.
The organisation is now looking to find a new home and has launched a GoFundMe page to raise funds to buy their own land.
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They have set a target of £250,000.
BREAKING NEWS: As OWR features on @BBCCountryfile this evening with @EllieHarrison__ , we launch our campaign to #SaveOWR.
— Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue (@OxonWildRescue) November 5, 2023
Please, we need your help 👇Sound up!https://t.co/DbXxj0pGMp pic.twitter.com/TUOUoHsLKS
A GoFundMe statement reads: "Thanks to our incredible supporters we’ve grown exponentially since 2017 and now take in around 3,000 animals each year.
"But to secure the future of Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue and the future of our local wildlife, we need to buy our own land.
"If we cannot do that then the charity will no longer be able to help not just our amazing but threatened wildlife, but the thousands of members of the public who turn to us for help or advice when they find an animal in need.
"With nowhere to operate from, we will probably have to shut down.
"Land is not cheap, especially in the area over which we operate. Please, will you make an urgent donation today to help us purchase land and relocate?
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"We know times are hard for everyone right now, but if you’re able, please help us find our forever home and save the rescue.
"And if you’re unable to donate, please share our campaign far and wide - tell your colleagues and friends and family, share this campaign on social media, or even hold your own fundraising events – every penny will help."
Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue is a wildlife conservation charity that rescues, rehabilitates and releases sick, injured and orphaned wild animals throughout Oxfordshire and most of Berkshire.
The animal charity looks after thousands of animals per year, from voles, toads, swifts, garden birds, and hedgehogs by the hundreds, to foxes, owls and deer, most of which are found by concerned members of the public.
It was founded by Luke and Ruth Waclawek in their family home in Didcot who took in wild patients from their local vets to care for them until they were fit and healthy again.
The pair set up a non-profit organisation called the Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue, and in 2017, they were rewarded with charity status in 2021.
The site was awarded 'the environmental award' by Didcot Town Council and was filmed with BBC Countryfile in 2022.
To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/f/urgent-appeal-save-oxfordshire-wildlife-rescue.
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