On Thursday 24th March, Sean and Anna Nicholas from the Cuan Wildlife Rescue Centre, Much Wenlock were presented with a cheque for £9,666 by RAF Shawbury’s Station Commander, Gp Capt Jason Appleton.
The money was raised during 2015 by personnel from the Shropshire base who undertook a number of charitable activities in support of the Trust, which had been chosen as one of the base’s charities for the year.
The Cuan Wildlife Rescue Centre is run by Sean and Anna Nicholas in their spare time, as they are both employed as Fire-fighters at Much Wenlock and Shrewsbury respectively. This is why the help of volunteers and charitable donations is so important to help them care for over 200 injured and abandoned animals.
Flight Operations Course 1042, from the Central Air Traffic Control School, chose the Cuan Wildlife Trust as their community project. These projects involve the trainees working in the community for a weekend, giving something back and working with local people to improve the environment or a local facility.
Cpl Michelle Coupar, an instructor at the Flight Operations Training School said: “Speaking to Sean and Anna about their work, I realised how costly it was to rehabilitate and feed injured wildlife. The majority of the work is done by volunteers, with very few paid staff. They also rely heavily on donations of building materials to create homes for the many animals they look after. Many projects get started, but take a very long time to finish. I felt this local charity would benefit hugely from both a Course community project and also financial support; so I nominated them to be considered as a Station Charity for 2015.”
Sean said: The trainees roofed and wind proofed some custom built outdoor hedgehog pens and repaired outdoor aviaries. I had been working on this project for around 6 months, but with the help of the trainees, it was completed in a day – and the animals could move into their new home! Anna said;” Our next open day at the centre is on 11th June 16 and the public are welcome to visit and see all the young animals that we care for.”
Anna said: “I would like to thank the Station Commander, Gp Capt Appleton and Cpl Coupar for all the support that they have given the Centre. We couldn’t have done it without the recruits. The next Open Day is on 11th June 16 and everyone is welcome to visit the Centre and see how we care for injured and rescued wildlife.”