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The Tiggywinkles wildlife hospital, based near Aylesbury, is renowned for its work rescuing and caring for sick, injured and orphaned animals, and can now do its’ job a little better with gift of a brand new Hilux from Toyota GB.
The donation of the Double Cab Invincible pickup is extremely welcome as their old 4Runner model Toyota was originally donated 20 years ago, and having provided sterling service for two decades is now going to a rest home somewhere in the South of England (or so they’ve told the animals!)
Tiggywinkles has been rescuing, treating and rehabilitating over 10,000 casualties a year from British wildlife and has been going for over 30 years, operating the world’s busiest wildlife hospital which is visited by all sort of species from hedgehogs and badgers to deer and swans. Dedicated to “rescuing and rehabilitating all species of British wildlife,” all the animals are treated free of charge and released back into the wild, under a controlled programme, once fully fit.
The organisation is entirely donation based runs entirely on donations and receives no public or government funding, and founder Les Stocker is obviously delighted with the Hilux donation.
“We’re grateful for Toyota’s continued practical support for the work we do. Having a vehicle we can rely on to get our teams safely to where they’re needed, no matter what the conditions, is vital for our work. The new Hilux will be a great, lasting asset and will be of particular use when we need to transport the larger animals we care for.”
Ideally suited for the needs of Tiggywinkles as an animal ambulance, the Toyota Hilux will be operating cross-country and having to encounter many remote and off-road locations to reach their intended targets, and this particular all-wheel vehicle has been specially adapted for its role, having had its ground clearance increased and a snorkel exhaust unit fitted to help it cope with the rough and tough terrain that it is likely to be used on.
It has also been fitted with a Truckman top over the rear deck, roof rack, high-mounted LED lighting bar, front winch, towbar and has been also livened up with the Tiggywinkles livery.
Inside, as tough, rugged and reliable it is outside, there is comfort and convenience that would grace a car. With the ability to seat five people in comfort, it also features (as standard) cruise control, electric windows, heated door mirrors, automatic air conditioning and Toyota Touch touchscreen multimedia system with Bluetooth and a rear-view camera as well as a vast array of safety features that includes front, side and curtain airbags, ABS and Vehicle Stability Control. So no need really to specially adapt the inside – it’s pretty luxurious anyway.
Thomas Rosselle, Toyota Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Affairs, said: “We’re delighted Tiggywinkles enjoyed two decades of faultless service from the 4Runner. When we heard that the time had come for the vehicle to be retired, we thought the Hilux would be the perfect replacement and we hope the charity enjoys many more successful years with its new Toyota.”
If you would like more information on the work that Tiggywinkles does, or wish to make a donation, please visit http://www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk