Pumpkin’s Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre has been named one of ten finalists in the Selco Community Heroes campaign and is in the running for the top prize of £10,000. The team hopes to use the funds to improve their facilities that support vital work caring for injured and orphaned British wildlife across Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas.
The organisation was founded by local vet Ana Lapaz-Mendez in 2020 after she rescued “Pumpkin”, a fox left permanently injured by a road accident. She realised there was nowhere locally to take wildlife in need, so transformed unused farm buildings into a fully equipped animal hospital that has continued to grow due to community need.
After receiving £1,000 in the regional round of the campaign, Ana and her team built 17 new aviaries for the centre which are being used to house birds and hibernating hedgehogs.
Ana said: “Winning the £10,000 would be the best thing ever for us. We’re totally self-funded and work so hard to fulfil all the projects we want to do. With this money we would be able to help so many more species including Red Kites and birds of prey, and ensure they all receive the highest quality of rehabilitation we can possibly offer.”
The Selco Community Heroes campaign celebrates the incredible work carried out by organisations across the country, with a total prize fund of £57,500 this year, nearly five times that of the previous years.
Ana continued: “As we are a working hospital, we are not open to the general public to view, but those who are lucky enough to see our work in action, whether it is when they have brought us an animal, or seen one of our videos on social media, have all expressed how grateful they are that a facility like ours exists locally.”
Pumpkin’s Wildlife Hospital will now go forward as one of ten grand finalists competing for top prizes of £10,000, £5,000 and £2,500, which will be decided by public vote, with the winner being announced in the new year.
Ana concluded: “If we win, our community will benefit from a much-improved local facility and will feel a strengthened sense of social connection and shared purpose. We will feel inspired to achieve even greater things.”
Simon Humpage, head of multi channel marketing at Selco Builders Warehouse, said: “Pumpkin’s Wildlife Hospital’s work is vital for the welfare and rehabilitation of animals and is providing such a valuable service for. Its dedication is truly inspiring, and we’re proud to be able to support such an important initiative.”
The public will have the chance to vote for their favourite community hero with the winner being announced in January 2026.
The link to the video is here Pumpkins Wildlife Hospital – Selco Community Heroes 2025 Finalist and you can vote at www.selcobw.com/info/selco-community-heroes
Photo: Selco Builders Warehouse
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