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Students to rescue of wildlife charity hit by fire

Posted onPosted on 12th Aug

The founder of a wildlife charity hit by a devastating fire has spoken of her gratitude after it received a cash boost from West Nottinghamshire College.

Cheryl Martins, who runs Mansfield Wildlife Rescue, which takes in injured and orphaned animals in the local community and from surrounding counties, lost everything when her Mansfield Woodhouse home was badly damaged in a blaze in May.

It came as she was preparing for the rescue centre’s relocation to larger premises in Pleasley Vale, having run it from her garden for more than 18 years to care for a range of animals, such as hedgehogs, foxes, badgers, ducks, owls, parrots and squirrels.

Now, Cheryl says she is humbled after receiving £573 from the college following a fundraising campaign by students and staff.

The animal care department raised £345, while the learning resource centres at the Derby Road and Chesterfield Road campuses contributed £228, after coming up with novel ways to get the cash rolling in.

Animal care students had already begun raising funds for the charity after being inspired by Cheryl’s visit to the college earlier this year, when she gave a talk about her work and plans to move the rescue centre to a former plant nursery in Common Lane.

Raffles, tombolas, cake sales, hair-braiding, sales of cat and dog treats, guessing the number of sweets in a jar, and a sponsored marathon were some of the money-spinning activities.

Students stepped-up their efforts after hearing about the fire — with student Reanna Davies raising £100 alone through her own sponsored walk, covering more than 100 miles.

Staff in the learning resource centres placed collection tins on its enquiry desks, and all fines paid for the late return of books and resources also went towards the campaign.

Cheryl said: “I’m absolutely ecstatic. It’s fantastic the college has done this for us.

“This is going to make a huge difference. There are things we can now get done that we wouldn’t have been able to, ready for the opening.

“I’m truly humbled by the support we’ve had.”