A Nottinghamshire charity dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating hedgehogs has received a welcome boost thanks to a £1,000 donation from global packaging firm, The Wilkins Group.
The Beeston-based charity called Hedgepigs, founded by Deborah Brown in 2018, has used the funds to purchase an ultrasound scanner – helping it to diagnose and treat injured or sick hedgehogs more effectively, while also supporting other local animal rescue groups.
The donation forms part of The Wilkins Group’s ‘12 Months of Giving’ campaign, which sees the Colwick-headquartered company donate £1,000 each month to a different Nottinghamshire charity or community organisation throughout 2025.
Deborah said: “Our vet bills are always one of our biggest costs, so having our own ultrasound is a game-changer for us. It allows us to detect issues such as pregnancy or heart problems early, meaning faster treatment and better outcomes for the hedgehogs in our care.
“We’re also sharing the scanner with other local rescue centres, including Brinsley Animal Rescue, Charlie’s Place and The Little Garden Farm Animal Rescue. It’s already helped diagnose everything from a pregnant guinea pig to a mother cat and her kittens!
“We’re incredibly grateful to The Wilkins Group for their support, and it’s lovely to see a local business taking such a genuine interest in the small creatures that share our environment.”
Since its launch, Hedgepigs has rescued, rehabilitated and released hundreds of hedgehogs across Nottinghamshire, maintaining an impressive 75 per cent release rate.
Hedgepigs also forms part of a close-knit network of wildlife rescuers across the East Midlands. Deborah often works alongside a former NHS wound care nurse in Stapleford, with the pair regularly exchanging animals needing specialist support.
Deborah said: “If a hedgehog comes in with serious wounds, she’s the expert. And if one of hers needs an ultrasound or heart scan, it comes to me. It’s a brilliant example of the rescue community pulling together and using our different skills to give these little creatures the best possible chance.”
Justin Wilkins, Joint Managing Director of The Wilkins Group, said: “We love helping our local wildlife, and supporting Hedgepigs is just one way we can give back to the creatures that share our community.
“Hedgehogs are gentle, iconic animals whose numbers are sadly in decline. It’s easy to assume someone else is helping, but often it’s the small local charities doing the hardest work, with the fewest resources.
“Hedgepigs provides exceptional care, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to know that our donation contributed to the purchase of an ultrasound scanner to detect pregnancies – along with supporting many other vital needs.”
Justin added: “Sometimes the smallest creatures need the biggest help – and we’re proud to play our part. Nottingham is our home, and our year of giving is all about shining a light on the incredible local groups improving lives, protecting wildlife and supporting our communities.”
The Wilkins Group, a family-run firm founded in 1963, produces food packaging for leading brands including Pukka, Pizza Express, Harrods and Cadbury. Alongside its Nottingham headquarters, the company operates sites in China, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and has won multiple awards for its innovations in reducing single-use plastics.