A SANCTUARY for injured and sick seagulls is facing closure after one of their trustees pulled their funding.

Bird Aid, which specialises in caring for gulls, needs to raise £130,000 by the end of November to avoid closure.

One of Bird Aid’s former trustees decided they wanted their money back after initially being willing to contribute funds to the site in Hailsham.

This leaves Bird Aid in a precarious situation, with the rescue centre building “fantastic facilities that can never be replicated”.

The Argus: Bird Aid cares for over 500+ gulls a year.

The facilities include 16 aviaries and facilities to rehabilitate gulls.

Claire Andrews, a wildlife photographer and volunteer for Bird Aid, said that while not everyone likes seagulls, it would be devastating if the centre had to close.

She said: “The impact is going to be huge. There will be hardly any places where you can take injured gulls.

“They’re just too big, they need the space. They would end up being put down at the vets because they can’t just be left.

“They’re not everyone’s cup of tea, the gulls.

“They’re endangered, they’re protected and they’re on the red list now.”

The Argus: Bird Aid cares for over 500+ gulls a year.

Herring gulls are on the Birds of Conservation Concern 4 (BoCC 4) red list, while nine other species of gull are on the amber list.

The site in Hydeaway, Hailsham, cares for more than 500 birds a year.

Bird Aid take the gulls out at around 4.30am and release them at low-tide.

While some gulls, which can live up to 30 years, remain at the centre for all their life.

The Argus:

Mrs Andrews said: “We live in Brighton, it’s built up. They shouldn’t be eating all that rubbish that they pick up on the streets. It actually gives them botulism, which is another condition they need to be treated for.

“It is what is it, we build along where they nest, we over-fish in the seas, the seas are very polluted.”

Bird Aid was set up by Julia and Ian Gould at their Eastbourne home.

They later decided to set up a separate charity dedicated for gulls.

In 2013, they moved into Hydeaway, a two-acre site which was much larger and allowed them to care for more gulls.

Bird Aid also offers the opportunity for learning disabled adults to volunteer “without being pressured to achieve results.”

Mrs Andrews added: “I think it will be devastating. I think it will be devastating on our Sussex gull population.

“If people want to donate, there is a JustGiving link. Anyone that can help or anyone that has good fundraising ideas, it would be amazing.”

So far, they have raised £43,149 but they need to reach £170,000 by November 27 to remain open.

To donate to Bird Aid, you can follow this link to their JustGiving page.

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