May 5, 2020 10.22 am This story is over 46 months old

Skegness seal sanctuary needs £25k to help it survive COVID-19

It is currently closed to the public due to the pandemic

A seal sanctuary in Skegness is trying to raise £25,000 to help it survive the coronavirus crisis. Photo: Skegness Natureland Seal Sanctuary

A seal sanctuary in Skegness is trying to raise £25,000 to help ensure it can be back up and running once the coronavirus crisis is over.

Skegness Natureland Seal Sanctuary first opened in 1965 and is a family-run business with three generations of the Yeadon family managing the site. It is currently closed to the public due to COVID-19 so it’s only form of income has stopped.

Each seal that the sanctuary rescues costs around £2,000 to fully rehabilitate, but it said it does not receive any exterior grants or government funding. It relies purely on visitors to the site and their donations.

The sanctuary also spends over £7,000 each week caring for its animals and this weekly cost is now being described as “a major threat to Natureland’s survival”.

The sanctuary spends over £7,000 each week caring for its animals. Photo: Skegness Natureland Seal Sanctuary

Matthew Yeadon has set up a JustGiving page, which has so far raised £650. The money will go towards the ongoing care, such as food, including the weekly £300+ frozen fish bill, medication and treatment.

The sanctuary is also asking people to sign a petition to the government to provide financial help to zoos, aquariums and rescue centres during the pandemic.