Animal rescue charity's plea after ambulance fails

The emergency ambulance the charity uses has sustained major engine failure

A wildlife sanctuary has made a fundraising plea after its ambulance sustained catastrophic engine issues, leaving staff unable to perform major rescues.

Nuneaton & Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary, run by Geoff Grewcock and his daughter Emma Hudson-Rowe, now needs to fundraise £7,000 to replace various major engine components.

The pair said the bill had exceeded £10,000, until Research Garage Nuneaton and Fiat Professional worked to reduce the bill.

The bill has added further strain on the sanctuary, which may face a £20,000 fine after being served an abatement notice over an animal odour complaint.

Mrs Hudson-Rowe told the BBC: "Without this ambulance we cannot perform as we should and animals are at risk of dying."

Geoff Grewcock runs the sanctuary with his daughter, Emma Hudson-Rowe

The sanctuary, based on Oaston Road in Nuneaton, has cared for more than 100,000 animals since 2001.

Its ambulance has been out of action for five weeks, and staff say the repair bill is "shocking".

"Having just received the running total we are having to ask for help," Mrs Hudson-Rowe said.

"We have always had an ambulance, but this was the first time we had one professionally kitted out to suit our needs.

"The van itself only has 40k miles on the clock and was brand new when purchased a few years ago. It was a complete shock that it went so badly wrong really."

The rescue has cared for more than 100,000 animals since opening in 2001

The ambulance has restraining, holding, and capture kits for wildlife, as well as specialist tools, ladders, and PPE for the rescuers.

It contains a medical kit so the team can treat injured animals at the roadside that do not need to be brought back to the sanctuary.

"The ambulance also has CCTV, which provides protection to us on rescues where we may feel intimidated," Mrs Hudson-Rowe added.

"It comes with bull sirens and emergency lights through an emergency response panel."

These injured tawny owls are just some of the animals being cared for by the father-and-daughter team

Referring to the possible abatement order fine from Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Mrs Hudson-Rowe said: "It's an added blow to us as we are already at a financial loss due to the ongoing court costs."