Red squirrel enthusiasts on the Isle of Wight have been nominated for prestigious awards as part of the national charity Red Squirrel Survival Trust’s (RSST) 2014 Volunteer Awards.
Supporters of the Wight Squirrel Project (WSP), Canon Michael Hodge of Yarmouth, Mike Evans of Yafford and Bob and Jacquie Wilson of Ryde have all been nominated in the award category of Unsung Hero which celebrates volunteers who work behind the scenes on red squirrel projects.
Canon Hodge has written two special computer programmes to aid essential recording for the project.
Helen Butler WSP, founder and project manager said:
“Without him the vast amount of data collected over 22 years would not be on computer.
“He has also sorted out all sorts of database messes I’ve made.”
Producing hundreds of specialist squirrel feeders and scores of nesting boxes each year, Mike Evans has improved and adapted their design to make them more robust and keep them watertight and safe from predatory birds. Keen to raise awareness of the need to protect reds Mike helps to man the WSP stand at numerous local shows and community events where his feeders and nesting boxes are sold to the public.
Since rescuing two abandoned baby squirrels – kittens – 30 years ago, Jacquie Wilson with the help of her husband Bob has been hand-rearing orphans and caring for young, sick and injured reds for WSP. Bob has modified the project’s soft release cage – used to re-introduce recovered squirrels into the wild – and transported it about the island. Jacquie has written ‘It All Began With Cyril’ a booklet about her work which has raised £500 for the charity.
The four RSST Volunteer Awards are designed to recognise the work of the 3000 volunteers who give up their time to red squirrel conservation throughout the UK.
RSST Director, Janet Wickens said:
“Our patron HRH The Prince of Wales has called our volunteers ‘the backbone of red squirrel conservation’ and thanks to their huge efforts and commitment it now seems that the battle is gaining ground”.
Winners and those who have nominated them will be invited to a special presentation ceremony in the summer of 2014, where exclusive certificates and prizes will help celebrate the major contribution they have made to saving the future of an iconic member of our wildlife heritage.
The Red Squirrel Survival Trust (RSST) is a UK charity established to ensure the conservation and protection of the red squirrel in the UK. Its Patron is HRH The Prince of Wales and its ambassadors are Alan Titchmarsh, Sir Chris Bonington, Eric Robson and Katie Hillier.
RSST works in partnership with dedicated and knowledgeable local groups around the country. It aims to protect red squirrels by keeping reds and greys apart, stabilising new and existing populations, funding research to secure the long term future of the red squirrel and raising awareness of its plight.
