Always on
This project successfully funded on 17th April 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Brightlingsea Hedgehog Highways Rescue
Colchester, Essex, United Kingdom
Aim
To help us build a much needed bigger lifesaving hedgehog rescue hospital providing critical care, rehabilitation and release.
Who are we and what we would like to achieve
We are Brightlingsea Hedgehog Highways Rescue just outside Colchester in Essex with a very small team caring for orphaned, sick, poorly and injured hedgehogs. We are a non-profit rescue and solely rely on public donations and self-funding to run. 100% of any monies donated/raised goes directly to caring for the hedgehogs.
If you have ever been to drop off a hedgehog or supplies, you will see how very small our Hogspital is! Unfortunately, due to the number of hedgehogs we have admitted over the last year we have outgrown our current accommodation.
Those who know me will know how passionate I am about giving hedgehogs the absolute best possible care with the end result in releasing back to the wild. Specialist care is required with each case, whether this is with fluid therapy and medication to deal with internal and external parasites we will do everything we can. Our wildlife is struggling and extremely important to our ecosystem. My passion and speciality in hedgehog care will continue but I need your help and support. Hedgehogs are very complex prey animals and will hide their needs, thankfully with my training I can identify and support our prickly friends. Please help me to help them.
With the help of Brightlingsea Nature Network and Brightlingsea Town Council we hope to support biodiversity, protecting native wildlife and promote the growth of the local hedgehog population. This project will also allow us to create an energy efficient rescue facility also allowing us to train volunteers/students and offer work experience to students completing their Duke of Edinburgh Awards or work placement through college courses. This will also include community engagement.
We would like to raise £14,000.00 to cover the cost of:-
- Install a purpose-built energy efficient insulated building
- Install concrete base
- Full electrical installation
- Full boarding out
- Energy efficient heating/cooling via an air conditioning unit
- Energy efficient lighting
- Double glazed windows and doors
- Cupboards, worktops, shelving, insulated washable anti-slip flooring
- ICU housing
- Outdoor pens/housing to acclimatise before release
- Create a sheltered natural outdoor area for hedgehogs to learn to forage, nest build etc
- Purchase new much needed equipment such as a new microscope, incubators
- Data collection, more community engagement and education on habitat improvements, feeding, struggles for hedgehogs, signs to look out for when poorly
How you can help
There are several ways you can get involved and support our project.
- Make a donation/sponsor new purpose built Plaztec Housing
- Pledge materials or services – can you help us with building materials or labour?
- Spread the word!! Share with all your friends and family, social and work communities
- Fundraise for us!
- Consider making a one off or regular donation to BHHR
We CAN make a difference!
Please please help our wonderful native hedgehogs to thrive!
- Create a hedgehog highway gap 13x13cm in your garden, fence, gate
- Provide much needed fresh water ALL year round
- STOP using pesticides!!!!
- STOP using slug pellets!!
- Provide kitten biscuits for approved hedgehog food such as Spikes, Brambles, Vale and Riverside food
A huge huge thank you to everyone who has supported and continue to support us. I know I say it often, but we really couldn’t do this without your support!
Vicky and the team at Brightlingsea Hedgehog Highways Rescue
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made