East Sussex WRAS seeks support for vital equipment

The East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) has launched an urgent "Future in Focus" fundraising appeal to replace its critical X-ray equipment, which recently suffered a total breakdown.

The charity, based in Whitesmith near Hailsham, relies heavily on this machinery to provide non-invasive diagnostics and immediate treatment planning for thousands of sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals every year. 

Why the Equipment is Vital

• Internal Diagnoses: Allows veterinary teams to quickly find fractures, internal trauma, and organ damage without relying on guesswork. 
• Cruelty Investigation: Crucial for detecting hidden projectiles, broken bones, and trap injuries, specifically aiding national police efforts like Operation Lakeshot against local catapult attacks. 
• Precision Treatment: Used for delicate procedures, such as checking the correct placement of microscopic bone splints on tiny patients like nestling blue tits. 
• Stress Reduction: In-house X-rays prevent the need to transport highly stressed, wild casualties to external clinics. 

How the Public Can Support the Appeal

• Financial Donations: Direct contributions can be made to the Future in Focus Appeal Fund or via the general East Sussex WRAS Donation Portal.
• Waitrose Community Tokens: Shoppers at participating local branches (such as the Poole branch) can vote using green community tokens to secure corporate charity shares.
• Charity Shop Support: Donating items or purchasing goods at the East Sussex WRAS Charity Shop in Eastbourne directly funds veterinary operational costs.
• Land Allocation: WRAS is also currently seeking temporary sites of at least 1 acre within 15 minutes of Whitesmith to set up rehabilitation pens.