Sir Gavin Williamson attended West Midlands Hedgehog Rescue’s open day in Cheslyn Hay.
Sir Gavin was pleased to join the founder of the charity, Joan Lockley, an experienced hedgehog carer, for a fundraising day. Sir Gavin had the opportunity to meet a hedgehog currently being treated in Joan’s West Midlands ‘Hosprickal’. There was also a raffle to get involved in and many other fundraising activities, such as the sale of hedgehog calendars. The day raised over £3,500, which will go towards the maintenance of the hedgehog rescue centre.
Joan’s work to save sick, injured, and distressed wild hedgehogs has previously caught the eye of regional and national press. For many years she has educated people as to how they can help hedgehogs and has raised awareness about the decline of the species. In 2020, Joan was featured in Channel 5’s ‘Saving Britain’s Hedgehogs’ with Steve Backshall and Brian May.
Sir Gavin said: “I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Joan and the many hedgehogs that she’s saved. The work she does to help and raise awareness for this beautiful native species is admirable and I’m pleased that the fundraising day was a great success.”
