Fundraising appeal as Scarborough bird rescue centre faces closure

A birds of prey rescue centre in Scarborough is facing closure due to a lack of funds.
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Animal House Birds of Prey, a rescue centre that specialises in the rehabilitation of birds of prey, has launched a fundraising appeal to allow it to continue running through lockdown.

The centre relies on donations from the public and does not receive government funding or lottery grants.

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Owner Trevor Buckroyd, who runs the centre, said: "We had all our events cancelled, that’s where our donation income comes from and that carries us through, we never did a display with everything being cancelled.

Trevor Buckroyd with Gandalf the Eagle Owl in 2016.Trevor Buckroyd with Gandalf the Eagle Owl in 2016.
Trevor Buckroyd with Gandalf the Eagle Owl in 2016.

"I was doing some part time work to try keep things ticking over and keep things afloat, then we had the lockdown in November which knocked me back, I was hoping to carry on when the lockdown ended, but with the lockdown again in January that stopped my income coming in for the birds until our display season."

So far, £1,705 has been donated to keep the rescue centre running, but continued food and vet bills mean the non-profit faces an uncertain future.

"We just don’t know what’s going to happen with this year now, we don’t know how long lockdown is going to go on for and if any displays will go ahead, we’ve got nothing booked in at all this year," he said.

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The centre has been running for nearly 30 years. Trevor has been running the non-profit since he took over from his mum, Cynthia, in 2011.

Trevor said that he has been trying not to rescue because it costs fuel he cannot afford and that he has had to sell the van he uses for rescues because it was not getting used.

"It's just been a nightmare," he said.

"With the donations so far we’re hopeful that will cover us for three months, which is good, but whatever happens after Easter we don’t know. We have an uncertain future. If we can’t raise funds we will have to close.

“Let’s just hope we can get through this year," Trevor said.

If you would like to donate you can do HERE and find out more via their Facebook page.

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