A WIRRAL wildlife charity is set to benefit thanks to the generosity of a hedgehog-loving author.

Claire Williams runs Wallasey Hedgehog Rescue with her husband Steve and has dedicated her life to rescuing needy hogs and protecting them from everyday dangers like fires, lawnmowers and garden forks.

The not-for-profit organisation, which runs out of a state-of-the-art “hogspital” in Claire’s back garden – built by Steve– is self-funded with food donations from the public.

Winter is one of the busiest times for the rescue, with countless hogs in need of aid during the cold months.

But thanks to Nottingham-based writer Victoria Harwood - author of the Bush-hog Tails - extra vital funding is on its way.

"Victoria has been very kind and donated one of her books to us to raise some funds to help support the 86 hedgehogs we have in our care until spring," said mother-of-four Claire.

"We are extremely grateful to her and we are going to organise a raffle with her book being the top winning prize along with some other hoggie prizes.

"Her books are aimed at children and I personally think they are a fabulous way of educating the children about our wildlife."

VIDEO: Take a look at some of the adorable hedgehogs being cared for at Wallasey Hedgehog Rescue.

Claire has run the centre for five years, caring for hedgehogs and releasing them back into the wild.

She has even helped to hand-rear hoglets who, without her help, would not have survived.

Wallasey Hedgehog Rescue is not the first charity to be helped by Victoria, with profits from her first book, Bush-hog Tails: A Very Bush Tale, helping Our Disappearing Planet, who specialise in keeping animals in their natural habitat.

Wirral Globe:
Author Victoria Harwood with a copy of her latest book, which she has donated to Wallasey Hedgehog Rescue.

Her second book, Bush-hog Tails: Bushy's Field Adventure, is primarily helping Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary, but after hearing about the fantastic work carried out by Claire and her family, 37-year-old Victoria decided to help her out too.

She said: "After being in contact with Claire, who dedicates her time to looking after hogs, I thought it would be really nice to try to help her. I have donated a copy of my book to auction in the hope that it will help raise some money towards helping to feed and look after the hedeghogs in her care."

Victoria has also donated copies of her books to various schools across the UK, as well as the PDSA.

She added: "Knowing I am making people happy really does make me happy. I have been really lucky so far with my project, I have met some amazing people and animals."

  • To purchase Victoria's books, visit her Facebook page here.
     
  • To donate to Wallasey Hedgehog Rescue, or if you have any questions about hedgehogs in your garden, call Claire on 0151 201 5172 or 07923830733.
     
  • Search for Hedgehog-Rescue Wallasey on Facebook.​