Meet Sticky. He was a teenage-sized hedgehog when he discovered a couple of shop bins that smelled interesting and started rummaging for food. Unfortunately this escapade didn’t end well when he was covered in glue…
Martin Maylin and his mum Harriet are the founders of the Hornbeamwood Hedgehog Sanctuary and I was lucky enough to discover this amazing place, perched on the hill behind Harpenden, a couple of years ago. Since then, I’ve been learning about the work they do and the brilliant team of volunteers working at the Sanctuary helping the hedgehogs, the team of vets tending injuries, foster families offering care and homes, and local businesses reaching out to support the charity: it takes a community.
When it came to choosing a charity for my “donation-in-lieu-of-Christmas-cards” this year, it was an easy choice. But, because I love taking photographs and creating things, I asked Martin if I could use my donation to create and print cards for him to sell, which would potentially increase the funds raised for the charity by up to four times.
Well, it seems that Sticky and his fellow model Nettle - along with their adventures told on the back of the cards - are selling fast. If you would like to join the Christmas fundraising drive for the hogs this week, you can buy cards and gifts here:
24 November - Wheathampstead Christmas Market in the High Street from 5:30pm to 8pm (Lights switch on at 6pm)
26 & 27 November - Childwickbury Christmas Market 10am to 5pm (Free entry)
27 November - Harpenden Farmers Market 12pm to 6pm (as part of the Christmas Carnival)
Online from the Hornbeamwood Hedgehog Gift Shop
A huge thank you to those of you who have bought cards and gifts or made donations already. Sticky and Nettle, along with the 1,500 hedgehogs rescued by the sanctuary, will be purring happily during their long winter sleep.