Prickles in a Pickle is chosen as Dartmouth Co-Op's local Community fund for this year

Prickles in a Pickle, the hedgehog rescue and wildlife sanctuary, has been chosen as the Dartmouth Co-op's local community fund for 2024. 

Prickles in a Pickle, based in Stoke Fleming, rescues, rehabilitates and releases more than 1,200 hedgehogs every year. 

They announced their place as the Dartmouth community fund partner for this year, which will allow them to continue their vital work. 

Co-operative members collect pennies whenever they scan their card and purchase co-op branded products and services at locations across England. Two pence in every pound goes to the customer and the same is mates to community organisations and local causes.

You can choose to support Prickles in a Pickle even without shopping in Dartmouth if you change your preferences on the Co-op website. 

Judy, Prickles in a Pickle, said: "We are asking that local people support Dartmouth and sign up for a membership card. Joe is going to organise various in store fundraisers, raffles and tombola's over the year. Apparently we have already been allocated £145!!! [£164 at time of going to press] Fantastic news. 

"So if you are in the area or are shopping in Dartmouth pop into the Co-op, which is the centre of town, and say hi to Joe or the staff and support both the local store and Prickles in a Pickle. 

"We will also be hosting some in store events with info and goodies in the spring."

This funding will go towards training 35 volunteers on their First Aid, Care and Rehabilitation of Hedgehogs course, costing £80pp. This will ensure best care for the hedgehogs, while volunteers will receive a qualification.

Find out more about the partnership on the Co-op website HERE. 

Prickles in a Pickle currently operate from the founders home and they have now outgrown the property and need a purpose built hospital. They are run entirely by volunteers and therefore every penny they need to build this hospital will need to be raised.

At any one time, Prickles in a Pickle will have up to 165 hedgehogs in their care, plus nursing mothers and babies in a barn, and another volunteer with up to 20 babies for four hourly feeds.

Their website states: "We cover a huge area of South Devon, the South Hams, Tavistock, Saltash and Tavistock, and its important we have our own hospital as other local rescues over the past few years have had to close due to rising rental prices.

"The new hospital will allow us to take in more Hedgehogs and also have a better environment for them to recover, with outside soft release pens and special rooms for mums and babies or for the more poorly needing incubators.

"We can also have a reception for visiting guests and be able to do more awareness and education from the hospital. We currently take veterinary students and Duke of Edinburgh awards students but again this is currently limited due to space restrictions."

You can donate to this fund directly, or directly to Prickles in a Pickle via their website.