Dedicated wildlife volunteers Bob and Jacquie Wilson BEM have been recognised for their long-standing commitment to protecting the Isle of Wight’s native red squirrels after being named recipients of the Wight Squirrel Project’s Volunteer Trophy.
The annual award celebrates the pair’s years of work caring for the Island’s red squirrel population, with project founder and manager Helen Butler MBE describing them as “absolute stalwarts” in the ongoing effort to protect the nationally important species.
Helen has said:
“Bob and Jacquie are absolute stalwarts when it comes to looking after our precious red squirrels and have been doing so for a very long time. This is on top of taking in hedgehogs – Jacquie is well known as ‘the hedgehog lady’.
“We need more people like Bob and Jacquie!”
The Wight Squirrel Project is now appealing for more volunteers to help care for sick, injured and orphaned red squirrels. Even those who are unable to provide ongoing care can assist by taking injured animals to a veterinary practice, with the charity covering all veterinary costs for red squirrels on the Isle of Wight.
Islanders are also being encouraged to report red squirrel sightings as part of the project’s monitoring programme. The information helps build a picture of the health and distribution of the Island’s nationally important population.
Anyone interested in volunteering or reporting sightings can find more information, including the project’s app and online reporting form, at www.wightsquirrels.co.uk.
