A BELOVED animal hospital made famous when a woman took in a bobble believing it was a baby hedgehog is facing a major funding crisis.

Lower Moss Wood, in Ollerton, is a thriving 18-acre nature reserve and wildlife hospital which has been running for almost 40 years. 

This year, staff and volunteers celebrated 25 years since being awarded full charitable status, overseen for most of that time by warden and general Manager, Ray Jackson MBE.

It takes in pretty much every British wild animal you can think of, including bats, badgers, deer, hedgehogs, pigeons, raptors, and even the odd bobble.

Sadly, Lower Moss Wood has seen its income plummet and costs soar in recent years, due to Covid, the spiralling cost of living, and the recent avian flu crisis.

A recent change in the law around the kinds of medical interventions its staff can perform also means it's facing much higher vets bills than ever before.

Ray Jackson MBE with a rescued barn owlRay Jackson MBE with a rescued barn owl (Image: Lower Moss Wood) In a heart-felt attempt to keep the hospital open into next year and beyond, volunteers have now started a GoFundMe campaign in the hope of raising one year's running costs, around £100,000.

Lower Moss Wood’s treasurer, Ruth Pople, said: “We are desperately seeking an injection of funds to keep Lower Moss Wood's doors open beyond January 2025.

“The winter is our lowest income period, but also highest expenditure on heating and food for our permanent residents, and overwintering casualties for release in the spring.

“We really want to ensure this wonderful resource is available for future generations of people and wildlife.”

The late Sir Bobby Charlton, pictured here opening Lower Moss Wood's wildlife hospital in 2015 with Ray Jackson, was a great supporter of the charityThe late Sir Bobby Charlton, pictured here opening Lower Moss Wood's wildlife hospital in 2015 with Ray Jackson, was a great supporter of the charity (Image: Lower Moss Wood)

The campaign is gaining traction fast according to trustee and secretary, Alex Boag-Munroe.

It was even feature on ITVs Granada Reports evening news programme.

Alex said: “It's been a privilege to witness the incredible outpouring of support we've received in just one week.

“We’ve already smashed 10 per cent of our fundraising goal, but there is still a long way to go. 

“Thank you to all those who have given, and to all of you who've shared our plight. 

"The money is intended to help cover the running costs -things like food, heat, light, and staff – over the next twelve months.

"A new board of trustees was elected in June 2024 which has immediately set about finding ways to cut costs and raise new funds.

"We've made good headway in this regard, however, being a small charity, progress isn't as quick as we would like.

"We face the very real danger that we'll run out of money before our efforts to turn the charity's fortunes around begin to bear fruit."

If you'd like to help Lower Moss Wood continue to perform its vital work, you can donate to its appeal here donate here.