THEY appear a bit spiky by nature but it has never been a ‘prickly affair’ for this Prestatyn mum-of-two who devotes her time to nursing hedgehogs back to health.

Tracy Pierce, who runs Hedgehog Help Prestatyn, has now received a huge boost to her project - which involves taking in poorly, underweight, injured, orphaned hedgehogs - after a cash injection of £925 from the Aviva Community Fund.

The money will allow Tracy, who is married to Mark, to buy an incubator for poorly and tiny Hoglets, a laptop, projector, stand and screen for presentations and a gazebo and ‘A’ frame display boards for raising awareness and at fundraising stalls.

The are currently 28 spiny mammals in Tracy’s care, four are out with foster carers.

Rhyl Journal:

Andrew has been at the centre for four months and is almost four times heavier than when he was rescued from the Alyn Waters Country Park near Wrexham. Picture: Geoff Abbott, GA210219B

The hedgehogs have names such as Andrew, Ski, Autumn and Barkby.

Tracy, a member of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and a registered carer, said: “The money will allow us to purchase a second incubator and the equipment and materials to help us get the message out.

“The hedgehogs tend to be named after the people or place they are found.

“We got our business account in November so this is the first money we have received of a substantial amount.”

Rhyl Journal:

Owen Jones with Andrew who is ready to be released back into the wild. GA210219B

Tracy worked on a dairy farm from the age of seven to 18 and worked with the elderly in H.M Stanley, Prestatyn community hospital for 21 years and Denbigh community hospital.

She started Hedgehog Help Prestatyn two years ago and it has become a full time vocation.

The idea was inspired after she found poorly hedgehogs in her garden but didn't know where to take them to get help.

She attended a hedgehog carer course, at The Vale Wildlife Hospital near Tewkesbury, and bought a shed, equipment and found a vet who was willing to work with her.

The former nurse/farmer added: “Many people have never seen a hedgehog and don’t know what their normal behaviour is so identifying when they are unwell is difficult. Sadly, as they are wild animals, they are very poorly by the time they are found out in the day. Timely rescue and treatment makes all the difference to their chance of survival.

Rhyl Journal:

A hedgehog rescue centre in Prestatyn has won a grant from the Aviva Community Award. Hedgehog Ski is given an injection to cure her of lung worms. Picture: Geoff Abbott, GA210219B

“Hedgehogs are declining rapidly. They face the ever increasing volume of traffic. The way people garden can block their access routes. Many hedges, shrubs and wildlife areas are removed to make gardening less time consuming so destroying the habitat for not only the hedgehogs but their food source lower down the food chain.

“The hedgehogs are also struggling with climate changes, waking up at intervals when they should be hibernating. They need our help and support by providing supplementary foods and shelters.”

Rhyl Journal:

A hedgehog rescue centre in Prestatyn has won a grant from the Aviva Community Award. Pic: GA210219B

Tracy had 42 hedgehogs to care for last Summer.

“It was a busy time,” Tracy added.

“Many of the orphaned and starving Hoglets last summer had to be fed with puppy powdered milk. They are lactose intolerant so cows milk is not suitable.

“We have half a dozen helpers now which is amazing and they do a rota - Owena, Val, Irene, Sandra and Sandy. Without their help this would not be possible, so a huge thank you to them.

"Also to the paper girls and those who donate raffle prizes, auction items, foods, bedding and funds."

Tracy, who is a member of community groups including Friends of the Ffrith and Prestatyn and district environment association, said volunteers try not to handle the hedgehogs much.

"As little as possible really as we don’t want them to get comfortable," she said.

"We don’t mollycoddle them as you have to remember they are wild animals and will be released back into the wild.”

Through the group, Tracy arranges litter picks, raises funds and educates others about hedgehogs.

Rhyl Journal:

Andrew has been at the centre for four months and is almost four times heavier than when he was rescued from the Alyn Waters Country Park near Wrexham. GA210219B

Tracy's long-time goal is to set up a Hedgehog 'hospital'.

She said: "I've started talking to the town council and councillors to identify where that could be. We can then plan, cost and apply for grants.

"We recently visited the Hog centre on the Wirral to get ideas."

Anyone interested in getting involved can visit Hedgehog Help Prestatyn on Facebook.

The next group meeting is on March 7.

[Video: Geoff Abbott]