A KEIGHLEY charity that has saved the lives of thousands of sick and wounded animals is fighting to survive.

Marianne Crowley, founder of Wildlife Rescue Sanctuaries, said the 18-year-old group only remains in existence thanks to money it had kept in reserve.

She said: “We’ve got enough to keep us going until May next year, but after that we’ll go bankrupt if we don’t figure something out.

“We’re appealing for ideas to help us fundraise because if we spend too much time on the fundraising, we don’t have time to look after the animals.

“I’d be devastated if we had to close. We take in badly injured animals, sometime with no face or with limbs missing, that would normally have to be euthanised by a vet.

“If we closed where would our animals go? There is just nothing else.”

Earlier this year police announced they had dropped a probe into allegations Mrs Crowley had stolen £12,000 from the charity. Officers confirmed the investigation had been closed and no charges would be brought.

Mrs Crowley said the investigation had been “a distressing ordeal,” which had affected the charity’s rescue work.

Commenting this week at the group’s base in Springfield Mill, Oakworth Road, she said the turmoil had left the charity battling to work out how it can continue. It is currently looking after 47 animals, including hedgehogs, squirrels, budgerigars, turtles, pigeons, ducks, a goose, jackdaw and crow.

Mrs Crowley said: “At the moment, our only source of funding is our charity shop in Shipley. It costs about £450 a week to keep us going, which includes paying for rent, electricity and phone bills.

“But if we suddenly get a lot of injured animals then our vet bills shoot up. While the investigation was going on, we had no money coming in – it virtually bankrupted us. Funding is a constant worry. There’s never a moment when you can relax because you’re worrying about where every penny is going to come from.

“People also don’t appreciate that while we’re looking after animals, we’re also responding to rescue call-outs. I can get calls at midnight or at 6am, and I never fail to go.”

The Keighley shelter is supported by a team of 11 volunteers, and Mrs Crowley singled out the backing given by Kathleen Armistead.

The charity deals with six vets who have also been supportive and understanding of the group’s needs.

Members of the public willing to help the charity are asked to donate items, such as towels, blankets, animal feed, hay and sawdust.

Mrs Crowley said she was also interested in hearing from anyone prepared to offer a small plot of land or a building.

Call 01535 603558 or 07954 165084, or visit the Wildlife Rescue Sanctuaries page on Facebook.