Wildlife lovers create wonderful woodland haven for injured animals

While we’re unlikely to see teddy bears having a picnic any time soon, it’s a ditty that certainly rings true if you visit a small patch of Derbyshire woodland in Pleasley Vale.

Inside the beautiful and peaceful surroundings off Shire Road you will see kids happily making the most of a wonderful wooden playground as they escape into a world of imagination.

Here you will also find the heart-warming home of the Mansfield Wildlife Rescue charity, who have impressively transformed what was once a warehouse and social club into a refuge for animals in need.

It’s been just over 4.5 years now since the inspiring volunteer-led organisation set about turning the dilapidated ruins into their own beacon of hope and humanity.

“When we took the building on, it looked like a woodland and was overgrown,” explains founder Cheryl Martins.

“It took us a good six months to clear it before we could even do anything. We have put the funds in over the last 4.5 years now we know it is ours. We have got the new builds up and we are just trying to kit them out now so it gives space to take on more casualties.”

And while space is a little limited the hard-working charity uses what they have to great effect to take in a wide variety of animals ranging from a nest of mice right up to deers.

It’s somewhat of a dream come true for nature-loving Cheryl who has now poured in more than three decades of hardwork, care and suffering for the animals she loves

“I was doing it from home in my garden and we needed to expand so this was the ideal spot for that,” explains the former Ethel Wainwright pupil.

“It’s a passion, it always has been ever since growing up with my grandad and his racing pigeons. I have always been around animals, it started as a hobby and this is where it has ended up.

“Growing up I was a country girl and would always be out exploring the country lanes. In my day you could go out and you didn’t have to worry. You could go build dens in the local woodland and be out all day long.

“Here we are in the middle of the countryside, so there is woodland around and a lot of the animals can be released on site.

“We can release a lot of birds back out into their natural environment. We can still supplement feed so if they are struggling we can put food out for them. We have got a lot of bird species down here, from owls and birds of prey to garden birds, so there’s a wide variety down here.”

With a life-time of knowledge and hands-on experience Cheryl, who worked as a mental health nurse for 18 years, naturally has a lot to offer and is keen to pass on her expertise to the next generation.

It sees students from colleges around the area who are studying animal-related courses spending time at the centre to fine-tune their budding talents.

“I have never done any of those courses and have just learned through hands-on experience as I have gone along.

“When we see some of the students we have had here finish their courses and go on to bigger and better things, it is amazing to see. That gives us satisfaction to see them moving on and doing what they want to do in life,” adds Cheryl.

“We have a lot of people who volunteer here that have got disabilities and additional needs so we are quite diverse.”

As with any charity, times are challenging at the centre with overhead costs such as electricity and vet bills, along with the general running costs, all helping to pile the pressure on an already stretched bank account.

It means centre bosses are always in need of a wide range of donations, including cat and dog food, cat biscuits, hay, straw and wood shavings.

“We get through tons of wet cat and dog food because we have hedgehogs and foxes who eat it, as well as badgers when we get them in,” says Cheryl. “We have crows and magpies that also eat wet food so we get through a lot of it.

“We have ducks, swans and geese so corn and things like that are welcome, any food donations are gratefully accepted.

“We still have our overheads so money is always welcomed. We have our electricity bills, vet bills and things like that. We welcome any sort of donation. Whether it’s one tin of cat food or 20, it all helps.”

For further information - or to offer donations - email [email protected] or call 07758317028