A LOCAL housebuilder had donated money to a charity in Somerset that gives orphaned animals homes, writes Josie Cohen.

The 24/7 rescue centre in East Huntspill, Secret World Wildlife Rescue, offers rehabilitation services to animals before they are released back into the wild. They help orphaned and wounded British wildlife, including hedgehogs, owls, rabbits, and toads.

The charity’s fundraising manager, David Plant, said: “The housebuilder (Barratt David Wilson Homes Southwest) is known for the wildlife-friendly measures it incorporates at its new developments, so we thought our work in caring for the 5,000 wild animals we help every year would be something the housebuilder would be keen to support.”

He goes on to say that the application being successful will be a great help as summer is their busiest time of the year and that they’ll use the £1,500 to buy a wide selection of food for the animals in need of a second chance after a difficult start.

David added: “Donations from local companies are a vital source of income and without them we simply couldn't support the thousands of animals we help every year.

"The generous gift from Barratt David Wilson Homes has helped make up for some of the donations we are missing out on.”

The sales director for Barratt David Wilson Homes Southwest, Louise Ware, added: “We always strive to leave lasting, positive legacies where we build our new homes. Our donation will help protect wildlife all over Somerset which will also benefit the new communities we're creating in the area.”

Incorporating features like hedgehog roads, nest boxes, bee, swift, and bat bricks, Barratt David Wilson Homes is now developing a variety of wildlife-friendly houses. 

These are currently being built at Nerrols Grange in Taunton, Moorland Gate in Bishops Lydeard, and Delamare Park in Frome.

From Saturday, August 26 to Monday, August 28, Secret World Wildlife Rescue will be hosting its August Fun days to help with the fundraising events coming up. Also included is its annual Auction and Ball on Saturday October 21.

The company aspires to enhance the welfare and care of the animals through this fund so that they can live in a secure and safe environment.