Marine mammals in distress are a common occurrence in Westray, and while we have a trained marine mammal medic, and many community members eager to support rescues, we do not currently have our own marine mammal rescue kit on the island. This means that animals in distress cannot immediately get the right assistance; usually, there is a wait of over two hours until specialist BDMLR kit from mainland Orkney arrives.

This fundraiser aims to raise enough money to buy the necessary equipment for BDMLR medics to provide immediate assistance to marine mammals in trouble, and therefore give the animals a greater chance of survival. The kit would include: whale pontoons, dolphin stretchers (pictured), seal carriers, seal crates, a dry-suit, and health and safety equipment.

Anything you can donate is hugely appreciated, and for donations of £75 or more, I will send an original whale watercolour to you!

If we manage to raise more money than is needed for the kit, all remaining funds will also be donated to BDMLR.

UPDATE:

Wow, what a response! Thank you to everyone for your donations - we have reached and surpassed the target amount, which is just amazing. The equipment we can buy with this money will make a huge difference to animals that find themselves in distress on Westray's coastline. I have now closed the fundraiser, and will send updates RE equipment and rescues on my Substack.