The year has ended on a controversial note for Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue. Its committee has felt compelled to put out a statement condemning the social media activities of an individual who has not been named. It says these have risked damaging both the organisation's reputation and its relationships with supporters, including veterinary practices and its bank. The statement, in shortened version, reads as follows:
"We wish to clear up slanderous, egregious, and detrimental statements that have been posted online about our rescue work and our volunteers.
"It has been suggested by a past volunteer that funds donated to our rescue were being spent in a fraudulent manner and that people should cancel their support with immediate effect.
"This had a huge impact on our work, both financially and in terms of public backlash.
"As a result of the allegations, there were investigations both by Humberside Police Fraud Team and the Barclays Counter Fraud Team.
"Following the inquiries, our transactions were show to be legitimate. Both investigations were subsequently closed.
"Although the findings of the investigations have been relayed to those responsible for posting the false statements, they have continued to publish false accusations online in an attempt to cause harm."
The statement continues:
"During the process of the investigations, veterinary practices and other rescue services across the area started to receive phone calls demanding they stop working with us or providing any care to animals we brought to them.
"This meant that, for a short period, we had to cease all rescue operations.
"Without vets or support facilities, it was not ethical to continue accepting injured wildlife into our care.
"Thankfully, after discussing the situation with the veterinary practices - and a lot of trust-building - we were able to get back access to the veterinary care required for wildlife rehabilitation.
"We also worked closely with other rescues to assure them that the allegations made were unfounded."
The statement adds that CWR - its volunteers, their homes and the organisation's rescue vehicle - have been subject to violence, harassment, aggression and arson.
It ends: "Our volunteers - all of them - are fantastic!
"Our committee members have been nothing but supportive, as have been vets and sister rescue services."
"We will not back down to bullies, we will not lose ourselves and we will never jeopardise our care for wildlife because someone wishes to sabotage us with slanderous and false claims.
"Our work will continue."
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| A van owned by Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue is said to have been damaged on more than one occasion during the year |
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