Porthleven hedgehog rescue centre in Cornwall Go Fund Me page

Tracey Sargent runs Porthleven Harbour Hedgies, a small hedgehog rescue centre, with the aim of rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing hedgehogs back into the wild.

Having moved to Porthleven four years ago, Tracey, who is qualified in the first aid, care, and rehabilitation of hedgehogs, noticed a lot of activity in her garden and decided to build a hedgehog house and feeding station.

Tracey currently works to fund her rescue, but she also appreciates any donations from supporters to help with food costs, medical treatments, equipment, and veterinary bills and has now thanked her supporters for their ongoing support.

Tracey cares for the hedgehogs so they can be released back into the wild

"We get newspapers, cat food, donations from my Amazon Wishlist and money through my PayPal link which helps towards vets bills and medications, the support from local people, as well as up and down the country, is absolutely amazing.

"I really want to get that message across, I simply could not do this without everyone's generosity," said Tracey.

Currently, Porthleven Harbour Hedgies is based in Tracey’s back garden, but unfortunately the rescue shed is very small, and on several occasions, she has made the difficult decision to turn admissions away due to lack of space.

Tracey is now looking to raise funds to expand the rescue shed to house more hedgehogs in need and create some valuable and much-needed storage space. Any donations to help build the expansion and fit it with suitable stackable cages to provide the hedgehogs with safe and portable housing during their stay would be welcomed.

Such a cute face

You can spot when a hedgehog might need help by looking out for lethargic or 'wobbly' movement, being surrounded by flies, hoglets out and about without their mother, obvious injuries, they appear trapped or being out during the daytime.

To donate to Porthleven Harbour Hedgies visit www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-hedgie-fund

If you find a hedgehog in your garden that you think might need help, you can contact Porthleven Harbour Hedgie Rescue on 07980 668652.

Tracey has also given tips on how to look after hedgehogs when they come into the garden.

These are:

• Let them in by creating a hedgehog highway, all they need is a five-inch square gap.

• Keep an area of your garden overgrown so they can forage and nest.

• Leave a shallow bowl of water.

• Feed them cat/kitten biscuits or wet cat/dog food.

• No milk, mealworms, nuts, seeds, fruits or vegetables, these can make hedgehogs very poorly.

• Keep ponds safe by adding an escape route.

• Keep netting raised off the ground so they don't become trapped.

• Check overgrown areas before strimming or using any other garden equipment.

• Check bonfires before lighting and compost heaps before using a fork.

• Keep gardens litter free and do not use chemicals or slug pellets.

• A feeding station or hedgehog house would be an ideal addition to the garden.