Devon otter charity raises thousands to help relocate

An otter charity has raised more than £30,000 to relocate its rescue and rehabilitation centre.

The UK Wild Otter Trust, which cares for hundreds of otter cubs every year at its current base at Umberleigh in north Devon, had been given six months to leave the site.

It set a fundraising target of £15,000 to dismantle, move and rebuild the centre on another area of land it was gifted nearby. The target was hit within 48 hours and it has now raised more than double its original aim.

Dave Webb, founder and chief executive of the trust, said: “I’m rarely stuck for words, but the last three weeks have left me truly speechless.”

Mr Webb said: “To watch donations roll in after we shared the devastating news that we needed to move, to see the first target hit in less than 48 hours, and then the total pass £30,000 so quickly, is something I will never forget.

“I truly cannot find the words to convey how grateful I am.

“We’re determined to honour our supporters’ generosity through careful, transparent work, with the animals’ welfare at the core of everything we do.”

To thank supporters, the volunteer-led charity said it was inviting people to help name an otter enclosure and people could vote on the trust’s social media channels.

Communications and fundraising officer Summer Hales said the funds meant the charity could keep caring for the otters already in its care and accept new cubs in need of treatment.

“The generosity we’ve seen is mind-blowing,” he said.

“It means we can safely and efficiently dismantle and move on from our current centre, and begin building a wonderful, purpose-built new home for the charity.”