Shropshire Hills wildlife appeal smashes through £138k target on Christmas Day

Generous wildlife lovers have backed a fundraiser to breathe new life into an area of the Shropshire Hills smash through its target of almost £140,000 on Christmas Day.

Shropshire Wildlife Trust has bought Betchcott Hill, between the Stiperstones and the Long Mynd, and wants to bring more curlews, cuckoos, hares and wildflowers as part of a major restoration project.

The charity needed to raise £138,000 by New Year’s Eve after launching the appeal last month.

Yesterday, on Christmas Eve, around £47,000 was still needed with a week to go. However, a flurry of donations has helped the trust hit its target.

A spokesman for the charity said on the appeal page: “Nestled between the craggy outcrops of the Stiperstones ridge, and the imposing plateau of the Long Mynd, is a piece of land, 50 hectares in size. 

“It neighbours the ancient Portway, and descends gradually to meet the rolling fields of the lowlands. 

“Meadow pipits and skylarks flutter and parachute above, whilst a shy brown hare creeps through the grasses below, ears flat along its back, all as an unmistakable ‘cuckoo’ call drifts by on an upland breeze.

“This is Betchcott Hill, a promising site, containing pockets of valuable habitat, and home to some specialist species, not least a breeding pair of curlew. 

“But it is sadly in poor ecological condition, and in need of considered restoration and land management. And that is exactly what Shropshire Wildlife Trust is planning to do to.

“To secure the 50 hectares of land for nature and to fund its restoration we need £1,1m. We have already secured £975,000 towards the total so now need a further £138,000 by December 31.”

For more information visit shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/appeals/betchcott-hill-land-appeal