‘You cannot have a seal in a car’: Norwich’s Dr Dolittle needs your help

An animal enthusiast who rescues injured wildlife is appealing for online support after his van was damaged in a crash.

Kevin Murphy from Norfolk Wildlife Rescue with a stoat. Picture: KEVIN MURPHY (Image: KEVIN MURPHY)

Kevin Murphy, 48, who lives near Anglia Square in Norwich, has self-funded his 24/7 Norfolk Wildlife Rescue service for 20 years.

Since it started Mr Murphy, who works on his own, has transported a variety of wildlife from across East Anglia and further afield to vets and rescue centres and given advice to people.

The 48-year-old, who uses his family car, had a second hand van for five months before it was badly damaged in a crash this month on the A47, just outside Great Yarmouth.

He is now without a van and started a gofundme page to raise £1,000 for another second hand van.

Mr Murphy, whose rescued animals include otters, hedgehogs, birds, muntjac deer and seals, said: 'I don't normally ask people for anything but I need a bigger vehicle. Sometimes I'm the only person in Norfolk who can go out to rescue an animal.

'The van is important, space wise. It isn't practical to keep using the car.

'When you transport an animal, you want to keep them calm and in the dark. You want a bit of room so they don't feel trapped. You need a big box so they don't feel confined and stressed out.'

The father-of-three said it was vital to have space for a large box during seal rescues.

'You cannot have a seal in the car,' he added.

Another animal which would benefit from the bigger vehicle space was muntjac deer.

To help fund his service he earns money as a care worker.

The only fundraisers he has done for his animal venture are sponsored walks and silences.

Mr Murphy trained in animal husbandry at the North East Surrey College Of Technology and started the Norfolk Wildlife Rescue Service when he lived in Gorleston.

Mr Murphy said: 'I have been doing this all my life. Wildlife is my passion.'

He works with vets, the police, RSPCA and also gives wildlife talks.

To donate visit www.gofundme.com/wildlife-rescue-van-appeal.

To contact Mr Murphy, call 07498 039139.