The wettest summer in recorded history could cause the deadliest winter yet known for wildlife, according to local ecologists, who are staging a charity event on Sunday to raise cash to help feed the birds and animals.

The Heathfield Ecology Centre on Ballards Way holds its Christmas Bazaar this Sunday, and is seeking the help of locals for what it predicts could be a catastrophic winter food shortage for local wildlife.

According to experts at the ecology centre, due to the unusual weather we experienced this year, there is a serious shortage of natural food.

“This leaves our wildlife ill-prepared for the winter months,” they say. “Many species are simply not carrying the necessary fat reserves to sustain them during the cold weather and will thus be in bad shape for the breeding season in early spring. At your Ecology Centre, we have taken the decision to use the proceeds from this year’s Christmas Bazaar to purchase emergency food reserves to feed local wildlife around Heathfield.

“We really need your help to make the bazaar a huge success for the sake of our wildlife.”

The bazaar organisers want to encourage as many people to attend as possible, but also ask that they donate any of the following items:
● Home-made cakes and bakes
● Home-made confectionery items
● Hand-made Christmas Decorations
● Giftware, toys, puzzles & Christmas items
● Raffle prizes
● Anything suitable for the Tombola stall
● Pretty pieces of china, glassware and cutlery
● Wildlife & natural history books
● Pot plants

“Your donation will benefit your local wildlife at Heathfield this winter,” say the organisers.

You may leave your donation in the boxes provided in Heathfield House porch, on weekdays during office hours. Alternatively, if you would like us to collect, please phone Lorraine on 07919 652 723.

The ecology centre says that we are all able to help our garden birds and wildlife by putting out leftover scraps out for the birds and other animals in our gardens during very cold or bad weather conditions. “However, please do not put excessive food out, as this will inhibit their natural foraging instincts,” they say.

• Heathfield Christmas Bazaar Sunday December 2, noon to 4.30pm at The Old Orchard, Heathfield, Coombe Lane, Croydon CR0 5RH

The centre is located a couple of miles south-east of Croydon off Ballards Way where it joins the A212. Entrance for pedestrians and disabled is in Ballards Way near the red post box.  Disabled parking available in front of Heathfield House.  Other parking is available in our top carpark in Riesco Drive (2nd left off Ballards Way on approach from A212) and on Ballards Way itself (parking fees or restrictions may apply, especially Monday-Saturday).

Tram number 3 stops at nearby Coombe Lane station, and buses 130 and 466 stop on the A212.  The tram connects with East and West Croydon stations.

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