A KEIGHLEY charity which has saved the lives of thousands of sick and wounded animals is itself fighting to survive.

Marianne Crowley, founder of Wildlife Rescue Sanctuaries, said the 18-year-old group only remains in existence thanks to money it had kept in reserve. “We’ve got enough to keep us going till May next year, but after that we’ll go bankrupt if we don’t figure something out,” she said.

“We’re appealing for ideas to help us fundraise, because if we spend too much time on the fundraising then we don’t have time to look after the animals. It’s a major headache.

“I’d be absolutely devastated if we had to close. We take in badly injured animals, sometimes animals with no face or with limbs missing which would normally have to be euthanised by a vet.”