Storm-hit sanctuary reopens after public support

An animal sanctuary has reopened after wet weather and storms caused thousands of pounds of damage, forcing it to close.

Severn Valley Rescue, in Billingsley near Bridgnorth, began as a donkey sanctuary but now looks after more than 200 animals, many with disabilities.

But it closed in February and launched a fundraising campaign to repair wrecked fences, gates and waterlogged fields.

Owner Amanda Ball said they had been planned to open just the yard part over Easter, but thanks to supporters who raised money and "the best team of volunteers", it has reopened.

Ball said there was still work to do, such as repairing fencing where trees had fallen on them, but the future was looking promising.

"Hopefully, we will just get there really," Ball said. "I am so much more confident now. It started out from what we thought was going to be disastrous.

"Normally we'd have opened at February half-term and we just looked around and thought, 'This is never going to happen'.

"But everyone has just been amazing."

After the appeal was launched, more than half the £10,000 target was soon raised and volunteers have carried out repair work and helped look after the animals.

"I cannot stress enough how the volunteers, the public, even businesses, companies we've never heard of before, they've donated money, they've donated time," said Ball.

The centre has about 20 regular volunteers, who do a "wide variety" of jobs, such as grooming animals, work on paths and serving tea and coffee, which Ball said had "really made a difference".

"It's the people around us that have done it. It's the support, it's the community, it's the volunteers," she said.

Severn Valley Rescue looks after a range of animals including tortoises, rabbits and sheep.

The site also provides therapy to young people and adults with special educational needs, and is described as a safe place for people with ADHD and who are autistic.

Activities include goat therapy, alpaca walking and donkey parties.

Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.