Hedgehog rescue "overwhelmed" by response to plea

Lucky Hedgehog Rescue is caring for 68 sick or injured animals

The owner of a hedgehog rescue centre in East Yorkshire said she was "overwhelmed" by the response to an online appeal for volunteers.

Lucy Felgate-Baumberg posted a video saying the Lucky Hedgehog Rescue in Grimston could close its doors as its existing workers were unable to cope with an influx of ill animals.

Following the call for help, 13 people have signed up with more applying to help out.

Ms Felgate-Baumberg described the response as an " amazing result".

Speaking to Kofi Smiles on BBC Radio Humberside, she said: "I am so grateful.

"The next day I had three volunteers straight in and it made a huge difference."

Volunteers clean and care for the 68 rescued hedgehogs, which are brought in after being discovered sick or injured.

The centre is open 24 hours a day and works with local vets to treat the animals.

Prior to the appeal, Ms Felgate-Baumberg said she was working 18-hour days and her two existing volunteers were "on their knees with the work".

Based on the East Yorkshire coast, the centre has been operating for the past five years.

Thirteen people have volunteered to care for the animals

Ms Felgate-Baumberg said climate change had seen a reduction in the hedgehogs habitat and a decline in their main food source of beetles.

She said that more and more of the animals were becoming ill, with many becoming dehydrated or infected with worms.

"They've been seen in daylight - that's your first warning that they are poorly," Ms Felgate-Baumberg said.

"They can look fine, but if they are in daylight that is your call for help."

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