This January, Oakham Book Swap has partnered with Prickleback Urchins Hedgehog Rescue, raising funds through their raffle and donations. 

The Oakham Book Swap in run by Lisa from her garage, with the next Book Swap taking place on Sunday 11 January from 10.30am to 2.30pm on Tyne Road, Oakham. 

This will include the usual garage full of books to browse, as well as a small raffle to win a book token and other treats, raising funds for their chosen charity, this month's being Prickleback Urchins. Any additional donations will also be very much appreciated. 

Squares that formed the hedgehog 'yarnbomb' (Photo: Oakham Book Swap)

To mark their partnership with the hedgehog rescue, Lisa's mum and aunt, Valerie and Pam, have decorated the telegraph pole outside her house with a beautifully hand-knitted 'yarnbomb', featuring lots of cute, knitted hedgehogs and the name of the rescue. 

Speaking about the decision to work with the hedgehog rescue, Lisa said: 'The Prickleback team do fantastic work, we know of hedgehogs who have been rescued and released near to us, which makes it all the more special to think that some of the hedgehogs visiting our garden could have been helped through some of the book swap's fundraising and support.' 

Rachel and Jason work with local vets to rehabilitate sick and injured hedgehogs (Photo: Grace Kennington)

Prickleback Urchins Hedgehog Rescue is a small rescue and rehabilitation centre in Market Overton, run in the home and garden of Rachel and Jason since 2021. 

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Rachel and Jason from Prickleback Urchins Hedgehog Rescue (Photo: Grace Kennington)

They work closely with Rutland Veterinary Centre and are accredited holders of the Wildlife Care Badge to rescue hedgehogs. 

They are totally funded by donations and regularly give talks around Rutland at schools, community groups and social clubs about how to care for our local hedgehogs and how to spot the signs of a poorly prickleback. 

To find out more about the work Rachel, Jason and their volunteers do, check out their Facebook page where they post regular updates about the hedgehogs in their care or their website for advice and information. 

Don't forget to pop-by the Oakham Book Swap on Sunday 11 January between 10.30am and 2.30pm on Tyne Road in Oakham (look out for the yarnbomb) and support their joint effort in looking after Rutland's prickliest residents.