Charity

Public urged not to ‘rescue’ healthy young gulls as summer admissions rise

Published

2 minutes ago

June 7, 2026

ANIMAL rescue organisations are urging people to think twice before intervening with young gulls this summer, warning that many birds taken into care do not actually need help.

The RSPCA, Scottish SPCA and British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council say thousands of gulls are brought into rescue centres every year, with many cases involving healthy chicks or fledglings that have simply left the nest as part of learning to fly.

The organisations say well-meaning members of the public often mistake this normal stage of development for abandonment, even though parent birds are usually nearby and continue to feed and protect their young.

RSPCA wildlife rescue expert Verity Miles said: “Each summer, our wildlife centres see a surge in young gulls being brought in by kind members of the public.

“Gulls are such underappreciated animals, so it’s amazing so many people want to help them. However, in many cases these birds have not been abandoned, but have left the nest as they learn to fly. This is a normal part of their development.

“Their parents will usually remain nearby and continue to feed and protect them, but sadly many well-meaning passers-by will mistake this for abandonment.”

The warning comes as rescue teams prepare for the peak breeding season, when calls about gulls rise sharply.

Sean Meechan, Wildlife Operations Lead at the Scottish SPCA, said officers attend thousands of gull-related calls every year, particularly in early summer.

He said: “While some situations do require intervention, the majority involve healthy birds that are best left alone.”

Experts say removing a healthy chick or fledgling can cause stress and reduce its chances of survival. They also warn that disturbing or taking gulls, eggs or nests can be an offence unless there is a genuine need to intervene.

Paul Reynolds, Chair of the British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, said: “Taking a healthy chick or fledgling away from their parents can cause stress to the young bird and significantly reduce their chance of survival.

“Not only that, but it is also an offence to disturb, or take gulls or eggs from their nests, unless absolutely necessary, so you may inadvertently be breaking the law by bringing in gulls that are not sick or injured.”

The RSPCA says it has cared for nearly 4,000 gulls in its wildlife centres over the past five years, with admissions peaking in June. More than half involved young birds believed to be orphaned or grounded.

The Scottish SPCA attended more than 11,000 gull-related incidents over the same period.

The organisations say the public should leave uninjured young gulls where they are so their parents can continue to feed them. Very young chicks in immediate danger can be moved carefully to a nearby safe, elevated spot if possible.

People should only intervene if a bird is clearly sick or injured.

Anyone who finds an injured baby gull is advised to contact a vet or reputable wildlife rehabilitator. Injured adult gulls can be reported to the RSPCA in England and Wales, or the Scottish SPCA in Scotland.

Rescue organisations also warn that unnecessary handling and higher numbers of birds in care can increase the risk of disease transmission, including avian influenza.

Sean Meechan added: “The Scottish Government advises against handling gulls. If you’re concerned, the best course of action is to contact us and we can assess the situation.”

Charity

Voices at the Castle to bring picnic-style day of music to Pembroke

Published

2 hours ago

June 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CHARITY music event will take place at Pembroke Castle this month, offering visitors a picnic-style day of live entertainment in historic surroundings.

Voices at the Castle, presented by Paul Sartori Hospice at Home and Pembroke Castle, will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026.

Organisers are encouraging people to bring chairs, blankets and picnics for the event, which promises a relaxed outdoor setting inside one of Pembrokeshire’s most recognisable landmarks.

Visitors are asked not to bring tents or gazebos. Sealed fizzy drinks may be brought, but alcohol is not permitted as there will be a charity bar on site. Additional food options will also be available.

The event is expected to raise funds and awareness for Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, which provides end-of-life care and support for people across Pembrokeshire.

Tickets and booking information are available through the Pembroke Castle events page at www.pembrokecastle.co.uk/events/

Charity

Thousands of disadvantaged children to enjoy Rotary fun day

Published

8 hours ago

June 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Pembrokeshire children to enjoy special day out at Folly Farm as part of nationwide Rotary initiative supporting vulnerable young people

MORE than 25,000 children across the UK are set to enjoy a special day out this June as part of the 2026 Rotary Children’s Fun Day.

In Pembrokeshire, the Rotary Club of Milford Haven will take 133 children to Folly Farm Adventure Park on or around Wednesday, June 10.

The children will be able to enjoy the farm park, fairground rides, animal encounters and zoo attractions, with meal vouchers also provided as part of the day.

The event, organised by Rotary clubs across Great Britain and Ireland, has been running for more than a decade and is designed to give disabled, disadvantaged and vulnerable children a carefree and memorable experience.

Rotary says the day is aimed at young people facing difficult circumstances, including poverty, disability, domestic abuse and other life challenges.

For more than 30 years, Rotary Great Britain and Ireland has helped children and young people enjoy special days out and activities through the programme. Since it began, more than one million children have taken part.

The initiative is also supported by the children’s charity Kids in Mind, which provides mental health and wellbeing support for children and families affected by domestic abuse.

Amanda Watkin, Chief Executive of Rotary GB&I, said: “One of Rotary’s core commitments is supporting young people from all backgrounds and helping them reach their full potential.

“The Rotary Children’s Fun Day focuses on children who may not ordinarily have access to these opportunities but who arguably need them most.

“It is about much more than a day of fun and entertainment. It is about creating positive experiences, building confidence and showing children that their future can be full of hope, opportunity and possibility.”

Alongside the summer programme, Rotary GB&I also runs the Rotary Christmas Toy Boxes Appeal, which provides individual toy boxes to children living in domestic abuse refuges across Great Britain and Ireland.

In 2025, the appeal raised more than £97,000 and delivered more than 3,200 toy boxes, with support from Kids in Mind and Rotary members nationwide.

Anyone wishing to find out more about their local Rotary club or support the Rotary Children’s Fun Day 2027 can visit www.rotarygbi.org/funday.

Charity

Young Badgers praised after helping injured grandad

Published

1 day ago

June 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TWO YOUNG St John Ambulance Cymru Badgers have been praised for using their first aid skills after their grandad suffered a head injury at home.

Menna and Bronwen Laurence-Elias, who are members of the Carmarthen Division, were being looked after by their grandad when he had a small fall and cut his head.

The girls had recently completed a First Aid Badger module with their local Badger Sett and quickly put what they had learned into practice.

They stayed calm, called their dad to explain what had happened, remained with their grandad, and made sure the door was unlocked so help could get into the house.

Calm response

Their parents, Daniel Elias and Jemma Laurence, both work in healthcare and are also St John Ambulance Cymru volunteers. They had taught the children to call them if there was a problem, and to only ring 999 in an emergency.

Daniel said: “They both stayed really calm, rang me and were completely calm telling me what had happened.

“Bronwen said Menna was putting pressure on the cut and had even unlocked the door for me before I got there.

“I gave the cut a quick clean and applied some steri-strips with Menna’s help, whilst Bronwen instructed me on what to do.

“I cannot be prouder of them for what they have learnt in Badgers and how calm they both were in what must have been quite a stressful situation for such young people.

“We’re grateful for the fantastic work of the Badger Leaders, teaching our future generations first aid and how to deal with emergencies.”

‘Quick thinking’

St John Ambulance Cymru’s Badger groups are for children aged five to eleven. As well as first aid, members learn about a range of other subjects, including communication and outer space.

Donna Jones, who leads the St John Ambulance Cymru Badgers in Carmarthen, said: “We are so delighted to hear of their quick thinking and sensible, calm response in a real-life situation.

“We presented them both with their own little Badger during our next session. Whilst they were both shocked and humble, we felt it was really important to acknowledge how smart they were on that day and how proud we are of them.”

St John Ambulance Cymru says its young people’s programmes help children and teenagers learn confidence, teamwork and lifesaving skills.

More information about Badgers, for children aged five to eleven, and Cadets, for young people aged eleven to fifteen, is available at www.sjacymru.org.uk/young-people.

Caption:

Quick thinking: Menna and Bronwen Laurence-Elias used the first aid skills they learned as St John Ambulance Cymru Badgers to help their grandad after he cut his head at home (Pic: St John Ambulance Cymru).