Our Story

Ramsbottom Hedgehog Care & Rehabilitation thank you

The Founders

Meet Steph & Terry

Steph Malpas has loved hedgehogs for as long as she can remember. In the summer of 2023, a poorly hedgehog appeared at her door at lunchtime, and that's when she found out there weren't any local rescues in and around Ramsbottom.

Together, Steph and Terry began fostering hedgehogs for another rescue, nursing sick and injured animals back to health from their home in Ramsbottom.

In October 2024, Steph and her husband Terry decided it was time to go it alone. They converted their grandson's old bedroom into a dedicated hedgehog care unit and Ramsbottom Hedgehog Care & Rehabilitation was born.

By day, Steph works part-time as a deputy manager at a nursery. Evenings, nights and weekends belong to the hedgehogs. Terry works full time as a manager in recycling. He's hands on with cleaning out, weighing, the late-night feeds, caring for the outdoor hedgehogs and everything in between. Between them, they give every hedgehog that comes through the door the best possible chance.

It's lovely. You know, it's why we do what we do. There's a lot of time and effort that goes into them, and lots of sleepless nights. We are only a small rescue. We're nothing like these great big ones that get all the funding and everything. But every single hedgehog matters.

Steph Malpas, Founder

Our Journey

From Fostering to Founding

Before 2024

Fostering

Steph and Terry spent a year fostering hedgehogs for another rescue. This entailed feeding, cleaning, recording and monitoring the hedgehogs, and each one was cared for as though it was the only one.

October 2024

The Rescue is Born

With their grandson becoming older, his bedroom became the hog room. Steph and Terry set up a proper care unit with heat pads, incubator, microscope and everything needed to give hedgehogs the best chance. Ramsbottom Hedgehog Care & Rehabilitation officially opened its doors.

April 2025

Twiggy Makes the News

When Twiggy arrived weighing just 334g and unable to lift her head, Steph nursed her back to health over a month of dedicated care. She featured in an article in the Bury Times, shining a light on the rescue's work and the growing hedgehog crisis in the area.

Today

Still Going Strong

The rescue continues to take in hedgehogs from across Ramsbottom and the surrounding area. Every one receives the same dedicated, individual care that Steph and Terry have always provided. Small rescue, big hearts.

What We Believe

Our Values

Every Hedgehog Matters

We don't have the capacity of the big rescues, and that's fine. It means every hedgehog gets personal, dedicated attention from the moment it arrives to the day it's released.

Be Their Voice

Hedgehog numbers in the UK have fallen dramatically. We believe in education and awareness as much as rescue. If you see one out in the day, it needs help. Speak up.

Community First

We're Ramsbottom through and through. This rescue exists because of the community, from the people who spot hedgehogs in their gardens to the friends who donate blankets and cat food.