Animal charity told to move faces uncertain future

A wildlife charity that saves the lives of thousands of animals in south-east London a year has said its survival is under threat after being told it must leave its current home.

Greenwich Wildlife Network (GWN) said the lease on its current premises, where it has been based for two and a half years, would not be renewed, meaning it "urgently needs to relocate or risk losing the charity altogether".

"It's a devastating blow for all involved," Rae Gellel, who founded the charity, told BBC London. She said they were raising funds to move to another building.

She said the landlords had been supportive and said the charity could stay until new premises had been found.

Gellel said on a daily basis, especially at this time of year, the charity saw large numbers of orphaned baby animals such as fox cubs and baby birds.

"We see a lot of animals hit by cars. We see a lot of animals, sadly, deliberately targeted with catapults or air rifles," she said.

She said without GWN's services, thousands of animals would be left to die on London streets every year.

Gellel said being left "completely without premises" posed a "massive challenge".

"We're completely reliant on this space to rehabilitate injured, orphaned and unwell animals," she said.

The charity said it had found alternative premises but needed to raise at least £20,000 "to survive this move".

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk