Kent Wildlife Rescue Centre Saved After Exceeding £250,000 Fundraising Target

A Kent-based animal charity, which had been facing the prospect of closure, has been secured following a fundraising drive where donations from supporters surpassed its £250,000 goal within weeks. Folly Wildlife Rescue, located in Tunbridge Wells, had announced the previous month that it might be compelled to shut down. This potential closure was attributed to increasing operational costs and a decrease in legacy donations received through people’s wills. However, subsequent to an urgent appeal issued by trustee and volunteer Sue Johnson in September, a total of almost £304,000 has now been collected. The facility, situated in Broadwater Forest, which counts notable figures like Hollywood star Johnny Depp among its patrons, had cautioned that its closure would leave no local alternative for the treatment of injured wild animals. In a Facebook post, the charity expressed gratitude to its generous contributors. The post stated, “Wow, what can we say other than ‘thank you’.” It continued, “In just six-and-a-half weeks you have all helped to quite literally save Folly.” The centre indicated that “larger donations” received in the preceding days had contributed to it achieving its fundraising objective. The post further added, “It has been truly amazing to see the support we have received from each and every one of you.” The statement also mentioned that the centre is “already looking into ways to sustain Folly in the future” but emphasized its continued reliance “solely on the generosity of the public”. Folly Wildlife Rescue was established 30 years ago by Dave and Annette Risley in their residence in Eridge Green, and it provides care for animals such as birds, badgers, and hedgehogs. The organization relocated to its current custom-built facilities in 2012, where it attends to approximately 3,500 animals annually. Two years prior, the rescue centre garnered international attention when “Pirates of the Caribbean” star Johnny Depp visited and was photographed embracing a young badger.