IMPROVEMENTS have been made to weather-proof an animal rescue centre thanks to a community fund set up by housebuilder Redrow.
Little Nest Rescue successfully applied for a £500 grant from the company to lay new stone paths at the centre to allow the community to visit during the winter months.
The fund was launched to help community groups, charities and other good causes based in, or serving, the area around Redrow’s new development Oakwood Fields, in Lowton, near Warrington.
Katy Pinder, director of Little Nest Rescue, said: “We are trying to create a safe area for our volunteers and the community to be able to access the rescue and enjoy the therapy our animals offer.
“We haven’t been able to open our doors to the community during the winter months due to mud preventing access to our fields and woodland. But thanks to Redrow’s community fund we will be able to do that this year.”
The team rescue, rehabilitate, foster and re-home animals, most of which are from neglect cases, or owners who can no longer home the animal.
Katy added: “We welcome families of home-schooled children too, giving them opportunities to learn how to care for farm animals and horses. Over the last three years we have welcomed over 100 visitors to the rescue over the summer months and we would like to extend the support we offer all year round.”
Sian Pitt, sales director at Redrow, said: “These community grants are designed to support small projects at the heart of local life that can potentially make a big difference.
“Little Nest Rescue is a wonderful example of a cause that has wide-reaching benefits within the local community; rehabilitating animals in need and educating visitors young and old, who can now visit the rescue centre all year round.”
The community grants are in addition to more than £400,000 of contributions Redrow is providing to the local community around its development in Lowton as part of the planning process. Around half of this has already been paid to Wigan Council, following the recent 25th property completion at Oakwood Fields.
Located in a semi-rural location, the development will have just over 100 three and four-bedroom homes.
For further information about Little Nest Rescue visit https://littlenestrescue.weebly.com/
