Member Article

Lonely hedgehogs need your help

It is autumn so Northumberland Wildlife Trust is taking the opportunity to launch a new membership campaign to protect the region’s declining population of hedgehogs.

To support its campaign efforts, the wildlife charity has created an endearing booklet titled: ‘The Loneliest Hedgehog in the North East’ featuring wonderful hand drawn illustrations from Cramlington artist and designer, Daniel Weatheritt.

It is hoped that that the new booklet will encourage people to become members of the Trust and help it conserve these wonderful animals, which are currently disappearing from the British countryside as fast as tigers are worldwide.

Even just 10 years ago, the hedgehog was a common site in gardens, hedgerows and parks; the quirky, snuffly little creature was a familiar part of our landscape, immortalised as Mrs Tiggywinkle by Beatrix Potter.

Now however, the removal of hedgerows, ploughing up of pastures and application of pesticides in the countryside, coupled with tidier gardens and the installation of garden fences causing a reduction in corridors where hedgehogs used to roam in search of food, mates and places to nest, not to mention an increase in the number of cars on the road, are all having a catastrophic effect on hedgehog populations.

Steve Lowe, Head of Conservation at Northumberland Wildlife Trust said: “By joining the Trust in our campaign, you will be giving a hand to a much loved garden friend, securing its survival for future generations not to mention being part of a leading conservation organisation that protects wildlife and our special wild places.”

For a donation, or a membership fee of as little as £4.50 per month, people really can make a difference, and, as a thank you, they will receive a free booklet on how to help hedgehogs, invitations and updates on events, activities and merchandise and a free cuddly hedgehog!

To sign up or become a member, log on at www.nwt.org.uk/hedgehog or call the Trust on: 0191 2846884.

Please don’t let this be the end of the story for the loneliest hedgehog - let his story have a happy ending.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sue Bishop .