Amazing Grace Launch at the Houses of Parliament
On Tuesday 26th April 2016, Anne Brummer and Dr Brian May launched a joint campaign by Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue and Save Me Trust to save Britain’s hedgehogs.
The campaign is called Amazing Grace in honour of Grace, a rescue hedgehog that came into Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue last autumn, underweight and suffering from ‘fly-strike’ in a deep wound to her neck.
The launch event in Parliament’s Portcullis House was hosted by Anne Brummer and featured Queen founder member – Dr Brian May, who was joined by singer and actress Kerry Ellis for a stirring and emotional live performance of “Amazing Grace’; the traditional 18th-century hymn.
MP’s from all parties were invited to attend the event to highlight the massive population decline of the ‘humble hog’. The UK has lost over half of its hedgehogs from the countryside, and over 30% from urban areas – since the millennium.
Anne Brummer, chief executive of the Save Me Trust and founder of Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue, said: “We have seen a worrying decline in hedgehogs at our rescue over recent years. We have to raise awareness of the challenges that Grace and her fellow hedgehogs face. There are simple changes that you can make to your garden to become “Grace friendly”.
Dr Brian May said: “We want to highlight the dangers faced by hedgehogs in Britain today and the threat of how they could be extinct by 2025 – that’s less than 10 years – unless we can help them!”
Dr May continued: “How shocking that hedgehogs are in danger of extinction in this country. We have destroyed most of the hogs’ habitat by over development and ruined what’s left with poisons and restrictions on their movement.”
MP’s in attendance included Tracey Crouch, Michael Gove, Kerry McCarthy, Baroness Bonham Carter, Actor, Peter Egan and Marc Abraham – TV’s Marc the Vet.
Fay Vass, CEO of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and Hugh ‘Hedgehog’ Warwick, Ecologist and author of A Prickly Affair, who has been studying hedgehogs for more than 20 years, were on hand to share their experience and expert advice.
As Anne Brummer talked about the Amazing Grace project and the plans to make Windlesham Surrey’s first ‘Hedgehog Friendly’ village, the MP’s and guests enjoyed a unique ‘Hoggy cupcake’ and were given the Amazing Grace project pack – containing a unique, 4 inch (25cm) square flier – the size of the hole required in your garden fence to allow Grace and her friends access through.
To conclude the event, Anne invited everyone present to help raise awareness of the challenges that Grace and her fellow hedgehogs are facing and encourage everyone they know to follow Grace’s 5-Point Charter – 5 simple things you can do to make your own garden ‘a safe space’ for Grace and her hedgehog friends. Then, once you’re done – encourage your neighbours, family and friends to do the same thing and then share with their friends.
Anne’s final message was spine chilling: “Without our help and support, there is a real danger that Hedgehogs will be gone from the UK forever. Let’s help save Grace – she is amazing!”
Find out more about Grace and her spiky friends and what you can do to help them on Grace’s dedicated website: www.gracethehedgehog.co.uk or follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Some of our Press Coverage
Brian May launches Amazing Grace Hedgehog campaign in …
The rock guitarist is so worried that one of the countryside’s most iconic animals is heading for extinction that …
26 Apr 2016
Amazing Grace Data Map. Amazing Grace Hedgehog Sightings … All you need to know about hedgehogs. Read more … This opens in a new window. … The Music is performed by Brian May and Kelly Ellis … Please sign this British Hedgehog Preservation Society petition to help hedgehogs and get a debate in parliament.
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Launch Invite Amazing Grace 25th April 2016 – Grace The Hedgehog
https://www.gracethehedgehog.co.uk › amazing-grace-…
Dr. Brian May’s Save Me Trust and Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue launch #
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20 Apr 2016 — Brian May launches #AmazingGrace campaign to save Britain’s … Our hedgehog population has dropped dramatically from 35 million to less than a … is sponsored by Members of Parliament Andrea Jenkyns MP and Oliver …
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https://www.save-me.org.uk › blog › 157-amazinggrace
2 Apr 2019 — Spike’s Hedgehog Food has announced a partnership with Amazing Grace, an initiative led by Dr Brian May’s charity, the Save Me Trust.
Missing: parliament | Must include: parliament
Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue – Facebook
https://www.facebook.com › posts › save-me-trustharpe…
20 Apr 2016 — Dr Brian May’s Save Me Trust and Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue launch #
Queen’s Brian May leads race to protect Britain’s disappearing …
7 May 2018 — Brian May says hedgehogs deserve to be protected officially … An initiative called Amazing Grace is urging wildlife lovers not only to sign the …
Brian May launches campaign to save Britain’s hedgehogs – Pressparty
Queen icon Brian May has launched a campaign called #AmazingGrace to … is sponsored by Members of Parliament Andrea Jenkyns MP and Oliver Colville …
#Amazing Grace Campaign Launch – Save Me Trust | 2019
https://www.savemetrust.org › about › our-2016 › 596-…
26 Apr 2016 — Grace is a rescued hedgehog who inspired a ‘rock star’ to help save hedgehogs in Great Britain. Queen legend, Dr Brian May said “The UK’s …
Missing: parliament | Must include: parliament