Funding drive after raid at Bridgnorth owl centre
A fundraising drive has been launched after a raid at a falconry centre near Bridgnorth which left one bird dead.
Thieves targeted the Owl and Falconry Centre, at Shipley and made off with eight valuable birds, estimated to be worth more than £8,000.
The haul included a gyrfalcon, a pure saker falcon and a tribred falcon, while a burrowing owl was killed, seemingly following a struggle.
The centre opened in 2012 but recently relocated to Shipley from the Halfpenny Green Vineyard.
It is now facing a struggle to stay afloat because it is staffed entirely by volunteers and relies on visitors to fund its annual running costs.
Bosses have appealed for donations to contribute toward the centre's upkeep and one supporter, Sara Gardiner, has answered the call.
Miss Gardiner, a client advisor for an armed forces charity, said she has been passionate about animals, particularly owls, for as long as she can remember.
She said: "I love going to owl sanctuaries and falconry centres and watching them be flown, so when I saw what had happened to this lovely place so close to my home, I thought I must set up a GoFundMe page.
"If the funds aren't raised and the centre has to close all of the birds and animals will have to be re-homed, which will cause them disruption and break the bonds so carefully built between them and their handlers."
"It would also mean that we lose a wonderful place where people can go and spend time with the animals, birds and insects, which would be such a shame."
Miss Gardiner said she has been in touch with sanctuary bosses about her appeal and they have thanked her for her help.
The 30-year-old has set up a Go Fund Me page called 'Appeal to Save Falconry Centre' and aims to raise £8,000.
For more information go to www.gofundme.com/r6xtw
