Wildlife team’s efforts to help the community scuppered by mice

PESKY rodents have put paid to nature and wildlife-loving volunteers from getting out into the community.

Mice have nibbled away at the electrics on the special van used by the Guardians of Stubbs Pool.

In fact the damage is so bad that the van has been forced off the road as the Camp Hill based group cannot afford to pay the £2,000 repair bill.

It means that events they were due to go to in the community have had to be cancelled.

“We are desperate to get some community help, our van, which we use for everything, has serious problems,” said Sioux Watkins, chair of the group. “Mice have taken up lodging in the dashboard and we are unsure of how much damage has been caused. No local mechanic or electrical guys know how to take the dash apart to find the faults and we have been quoted £859 upfront just to take it apart.

“We are out of action, without the funding or a garage that can help us the repairs are going to top over £2,000, meaning we cannot do our important work in the community. On this occasion wildlife isn’t our friend.”

It has been a month since the van failed its MOT due to the wiring issues and it has already had a huge impact on the group.

“We can’t do anything, no ‘gardens in need’ work, no school visits, we carry our tools and everything in the van for safety,” added community award-winner Sioux.

“We are usually out this time of year doing assessments of gardens and general tidy ups for the elderly and disabled. We also do community litter picks as we take the rubbish to the dump in our van as we have a charity tip pass. I’m gutted.

“The van will have to be off the road until we can fund all the repairs. We can’t take any referrals for this year until it’s all fixed and safe. It’s heartbreaking to let the community down.”

They are asking the community to help pay for the repairs.

A gofundme page has been set-up.