TWO Somerset wildlife charities have benefitted from £1,700 of funding thanks to a donation from SUEZ.

Somerset Wildlife Trust and Secret World Wildlife Rescue received £850 as part of SUEZ' 'Giving Something Back at Christmas' fund.

SUEZ staff across the country were invited to nominate charities supporting those in need in their local communities and working to

improve the environment.

The trust said the funding will go towards delivering habitat conservation work on the ground as it costs around £2,000 a day to maintain nature reserves across the county and keep them in great condition for the wildlife that call them home.

Kirby Everett, head of communications & corporate relations at Somerset Wildlife Trust, said “It is absolutely important that we don’t let the last year’s challenges deter us from achieving our vision for a more sustainable, greener and wildlife centric future for the country and for our county.

"More people than ever connected to the natural world during the pandemic and it's now time for key stakeholders across the county, including the county’s business communities, to lead by example and support conservation charities at a time they need it the most. "With the funding environment ever more challenging, donations such as this one are so important, and very gratefully received.”

Secret World Wildlife Rescue will use their share of the money to help care for hedgehogs over the winter period. Hedgehogs are particularly vulnerable during the colder months and the donation will help

The donation will also help the team continue their work to teach the public how they can care for wildlife.

David Plant, fundraising Officer at Secret World Wildlife Rescue, said “Thank you so much to SUEZ for choosing us to benefit from its Giving Something Back programme. 2020 has been a very difficult year, so it's very reassuring to know SUEZ is continuing its commitment to helping local environmental causes. Winter is a very busy time for us, and this donation will help us to keep protecting British wildlife well into the new year.

"We are really so grateful to have been selected for this very generous gift.”

James Pike, Regional Director at SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, added: “SUEZ is delighted to be able to make these donations to support the local environment. We know now more than ever just how important the natural environment is, and we are pleased to be able to offer some support to these charities at this difficult time.”