AS summer gets into full swing one woman is emptying her pockets to ensure struggling hedgehogs remain healthy.

Summer marks one of the hardest seasons for hedgehog conservationists, as new babies are born and gardeners begin mowing their gardens, destroying vital habitats and - in worst cases - even killing them.

However, people like 50-year-old Debs Harrison are making sure that this vulnerable species - which has seen a population decline of 30 to 75 per cent in the UK since 2000 - remains healthy.

The founder of Wath Hedgehog Rescue and Rehabilitation - who has been labelled ‘chief prickles’ by her friends - has been making sure that hedgehogs across the Dearne Valley area, as well as Elsecar and Hoyland, are looked after, with 14 currently in her care.

This time consuming volunteering began around nine years ago by pure chance thanks to her son Ashley Hardwick.

“My son had found a hedgehog,” she told the Chronicle.

“He was 17 at the time and found one down the road.

“We thought it just needed some food, but it started coming into our garden during the day and when we looked into it we realised they shouldn’t be out at day.

“I’m not sure how but I came across Jane Mason, who was my mentor.

“I got into it from there - my son’s 26 now and moved out with his girlfriend but I’m still here doing it.”

The support she provides - which includes nurturing young, injured and ill hedgehogs until they are strong enough to be returned to the wild - hasn’t always been easy, as Debs has been forced to cover the costs and put in the time even while going through her own health issues.

In recent years she’s suffered with brain tumours that required intense radiotherapy, and while she still struggles with issues that cause intense dizziness and sensitivity to sound, she has continued caring for the creatures she loves.

Though, she does admit that it wouldn’t be possible without the community that supports her, including Claire Moynihan at Royston Animal Rescue and her allies at Medivet.

“When I found out about the tumours, it was really a case then of walking away or try to continue through the team,” she added.

“The whole network all decided that they’d keep it going, so they continued even when I couldn’t.

“So at the moment I still can’t go back to my job, which makes everything harder because everything is paid for either out of my own pocket, or from donations - we do have a few ladies that run stalls and raise some money for us.

“My motto in life is to keep smiling - when I’m having a bad day it’s to to come out and see the hedgehogs.

“I think: ‘I can’t give in because they need me’.”

To support her work, or report a hedgehog in risk, you can visit the Wath Hedgehog Rescue and Rehabilitation Facebook page.