The Essential Guide Magazine Culcheth - Sept/Oct 14 | Page 34

Essential Feature Wild Wings Birds of Prey (Education & Rehabilitation) Centre Wlid Wings Birds of Prey is a not for profit family owned and run Rescue, Rehabilitation and Education Centre for Birds of Prey, with all monies being reinvested back into the Rescue & Care of Birds of Prey. The Centre is run by Ian Middleton the Head Falconer, Carole Rose & Vicki Barton, with a combined experience of over 45 years. The Centre cannot operate without the help of our very valued Volunteers, several of whom have gone on into work in Animal Related Environments. The Centre provides a rescue and rehabilitation facility for wild and captive bred Birds of Prey, currently housing over 90 birds. In the past few months we have rehabilitated and released many wild birds of prey including Peregrine Falcons, Kestrels, Sparrow Hawks, Tawny Owls & Buzzards, with several more currently being rehabilitated. 95% of our birds are rescues and some have disabilities or have been abused or neglected. Others have been rescued from the wild and their owners have never come forward, some have just been signed over when owners’ circumstances have changed. We offer them a good quality of life with all the care they need. The Centre also houses Owls from all over the world, along with several species of Falcon’s Hawks & Eagles. Wild Wings Birds of Prey provides Educational facilities for all levels from Reception Classes, through to Secondary school and into college Level. We offer placements for Students doing Work 34 E x p e r i e n c e, and placements for Veterinary Students. We work with Stroke Association, Mencap, Hospices and Nursing homes etc., giving the opportunity for all to learn about and enjoy these beautiful birds. The Centre now has to re-locate by the end of the year and desperately needs to raise the funding required to build and secure the future of the birds and the works that we do. We have been offered a fabulous piece of land by Paul Taylor of Taylor Business Park based in Culcheth. We would be able to offer greater facilities both for the birds and for educational purposes. We are holding an ‘I’m NOT a Celebrity’ Challenge on Sunday 21st September, featuring gruelling & gruesome Bush Tucker Trials. We are inviting sponsors for the event and inviting them to come along and watch the fun! We are hoping that we can encourage Local businesses to support the build of the new centre by Sponsoring an Aviary. Each Aviary will cost £500 and will have a plaque with the Sponsor’s name on it along with the Company details on our Web Site. Alternatively, if any Company is able to help us with materials that would be great. We have a very short time to raise approx. £70,000. We are going to be doing lots of fundraising ourselves but any help would be very welcome. We are obviously very concerned about the welfare of the birds and will do everything we can to secure their future and keep our Centre open for everybody to enjoy. Nine issues in Culcheth Lymm Great Sankey & Penketh Chapelford Stockton Heath & Appleton Thewlwall, Grappenhall & Latchford Birchwood Lowton & Golborne Newton-le-Willows