New Sanctuary Appeal

The Swan Sanctuary was told by Runnymede Borough Council in 2002 that it must vacate its present site by April 2004, despite having been told by the council that the Egham site was available to it as a "permanent new home" when it moved there. The council was unable to offer an alternative site.

Thankfully, after literally years of searching for a new home, finding several, and then having each one cruelly snatched away at the last minute, a piece of land and water suited to the sanctuary's needs has been found in Shepperton. On 13 October 2004, planning permission to build the new sanctuary was finally approved and, in June 2005, Dot and all her animals were finally able to move into their new home.

The site comprises 4 acres of land and a 4-acre lake linked directly to the River Thames which is ideal for the sanctuary's ongoing rescue operations and the creation of a new swan and wildlife hospital which will finally be open to the general public. The new hospital will be supplemented by an environmental & education facility primarily aimed at schoolchildren and people wanting to learn more about environmental and animal welfare issues. See our New Sanctuary Details page for further details.

The purchase of the land and its development will ultimately cost approximately £250,000 which is way way beyond the funds the sanctuary currently has available and why we are forced to launch this appeal.

There are several ways that individuals and corporate bodies can help - here are a couple of examples:

  1. By making a charitable donation to the sanctuary - see our How you can help page. People who play the National Lottery may be interested to hear that The Swan Sanctuary is not eligible for a grant in any form or amount as the Royal Swans (which, contrary to popular belief, the Royal Family does not sponsor in any way) are not considered to be part of British heritage. If you feel this is incorrect then maybe you'd prefer to send your lottery money to the sanctuary instead.
  1. By becoming a lifetime supporter or lifetime fellow of the sanctuary in return for free access to the new sanctuary and environmental centre for life, newsletters for life, a formal certificate and, in the case of fellows, inclusion on an honorary plaque on display at the new sanctuary. See our Lifetime Supporter Scheme page for further details.

We are all very excited about this new beginning and the creation of something wonderful, both for the animals we strive to help and the younger generations we hope to educate - if you'd like to be part of it too then this is your chance to help.

THE SWANS AND OTHER WILDLIFE NEED YOUR HELP - PLEASE DO WHAT YOU CAN RATHER THAN ASSUME THAT OTHERS WILL

THANK YOU