A Portsmouth teenager who won Southern Co-op’s christmas card competition has nominated a local wildlife hospital to receive her charity winnings.
Nicole Pook, who devotes hours of her time to wildlife, created the winning design, which will be used on the co-op’s Christmas card to be sent to colleagues and partners.
The teenager has been awarded a hamper of Christmas goodies, copies of her Christmas card and a £1,000 donation in her name, which she has made to Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital in Chichester.
Ann Pook, Nicole’s mum, said: “I am so proud of her. She couldn’t believe it when she won. She kept saying ‘I can’t believe it, I can’t believe it’.
“She entered it because she loves art and wanted to win the money for the animals at Brent Lodge. When she leaves school she would like to work with animals.
“She started volunteering at Brent Lodge about four months ago. So she and her friend go there every Saturday for about four hours. They both absolutely love cleaning out the hedgehogs and pigeons and looking after them. She has to pick the hedgehogs up and weigh them.”
Asha Park, supporter communications manager from Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital, said: “We were totally thrilled to have one of our volunteers be selected as the winner of Southern Co-op’s Christmas card competition. With nearly 200 hedgehogs in our care, plus other sick or injured wildlife, the funds will make a huge difference to our organisation, and I know that Nicole is very happy about it and glad the money will help the animals at Brent Lodge.
“At this time of year, feeding and treating these patients becomes very expensive and stretches our resources, so we are grateful for donations and support to help wildlife get the treatment they need to get through the cold winter months.”
