New hedgehog homes 'making life so much easier'

A hedgehog rescue charity says its "marvellous" new expansion has made life better for both volunteers and animals.

Holderness Hedgehog Hospital has been providing urgent care for sick and injured animals since 2016 and currently has about 60 hedgehogs in hospitals across Keyingham, Beverley, Burton Pidsea and Skeffling.

The charity has been able to buy 42 new pods to temporarily house the animals in across all of its sites thanks to donations and a grant.

Charity trustee Cath Novis said: "I'm getting all tearful. It makes our lives and the hedgehogs' lives so much easier."

The new pods are split into two compartments, with one side for sleeping and one for eating and drinking.

Ms Novis said they have made the volunteers' work much more efficient.

"Cleaning out a cage can be done in minutes rather than 10 or 15 minutes with the old noisy cages.

"It gives the hedgehogs much more room to be able to sleep in and they seem to find it better in there as well."

Due to the new pods' compact design, volunteers have also been able to increase the capacity at each hospital, meaning more hedgehogs can now be cared for.

The charity was able to purchase the pods following donations from the public and volunteers, as well as a £5,000 grant from the Matthew Good Foundation and funding from the John Good Group.

The charity said without the money, it would not have been able to expand until the end of 2026.

Ms Novis added: "I cannot begin to express what a difference it has made to us.

"I just can't believe how generous people have been. It's absolutely marvellous."

The charity, which is open all year, has about 50 volunteers working in various roles.

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