Kind hearts help Susan's hedgehog litter

Susan is pictured with with hedgehog Benja

Kind-hearted Susan Ashworth faced a really prickly problem when it came to solving waste disposal issues for her lovable charges.

The retired nurse voluntarily runs and funds Hog Manor at Delph, ensuring much-loved refuge for hedgehogs, classified as endangered, are protected.

To date, and with generous public donations, she has saved 635 vulnerable hedgehogs, but her biggest problem has been the disposal of waste as all the hedgehogs have to have their cages cleaned daily.

She says: "I'm environmentally aware and I used to take the waste to the local recycling centre, but unfortunately they have stopped accepting animal waste.

"I contacted several agencies to enquire about rubbish removal, but they wanted more £80 per month which I just couldn’t afford.”

Saddleworth north councillor Luke Lancaster learned of her plight and they contacted Ben Parsons, Oldham Council’s Operation and Development Manager. 

Said a delighted Susan: “These wonderful gents have provided me with two rubbish bins, being emptied weekly at a fraction of the cost previously quoted.”

And, as an added generous gesture, Cllr Lancaster has covered the cost of the bin emptying for the next 12 months with a £258.56p donation through his discretionary ward budget.

He said: ”This will avoid this cost burden being placed on Susan, and ensure any donations which she receives are better directed towards resources for the hedgehogs.

"She does superb work at Hog Manor.” 

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