A vital Nottinghamshire wildlife rescue centre has been given a significant financial boost to help it through the demanding winter months.
Final Donation in Year-Long Campaign
Mansfield Wildlife Rescue, based in Mansfield Woodhouse, has received a £1,000 donation from The Wilkins Group. This contribution marks the final cheque in the family-run packaging firm's '12 Months of Giving' initiative, which has seen £1,000 donated each month to local causes throughout the year.
The rescue, which rehabilitates everything from small mice to large deer, will use the funds to cover escalating winter expenses. These include veterinary bills, specialist animal feed, and rising energy costs, as demand for its services continues to grow across the county and beyond.
A Lifeline for Injured and Abandoned Animals
Aron Wilkins of The Wilkins Group, which is headquartered in Colwick, Nottingham, presented the cheque. He praised the rescue's demanding, round-the-clock work. "Mansfield Wildlife Rescue does incredibly demanding work, often behind the scenes," said Aron. "Cheryl and her team are there at all hours helping animals that would otherwise have nowhere to go. These smaller, highly specialised organisations are so often overlooked, yet they make an enormous difference locally."
The rescue was founded by Cheryl Martins following a 35-year career in parrot rescue. Over time, the public began bringing injured creatures directly to her home, leading to the establishment of the formal rescue service.
Cheryl Martins explained the scope of their work: "Today we help rehabilitate all kinds of wildlife. Some animals are able to return to the wild after a period of care, while others need permanent homes." She highlighted that while most call-outs are local, animals are sometimes brought from much further afield, including a recent case from Manchester.
Completing a Community-Focused Initiative
The donation to Mansfield Wildlife Rescue brings the total given by The Wilkins Group through its campaign to £12,000. The company specifically targeted small, niche, or under-funded organisations that provide essential support within their communities.
The Wilkins Group, a notable local employer, produces food packaging for major brands including Pukka Pies, Pizza Express, Harrods, and Cadbury. It is also known for award-winning, bespoke items like eco-friendly coat hangers and the iconic M&S light-up glitter gin bottles. The firm was recently recognised at the East Midlands Business of the Year Awards.
For Cheryl and her team, such donations are crucial. "Donations like this make a huge difference," she stated. "They help us cover vet bills, feed costs and energy bills, especially during the winter months. There are very few rescues locally that will take in all types of injured wildlife, and that means we receive a huge number of enquiries."
