Graham Neale and the team at Caversham Wildlife Rescue and Support

Emergency rescues of vulnerable wildlife at all hours have earned a volunteer team a nomination for the Volunteers of the Year award, sponsored by AB Walker.

Graham Neale, and the volunteer team at Caversham Wildlife Rescue and Support have been praised for their round the clock work to protect swans, ducks, geese, pigeons and other birds across Caversham and the surrounding areas.

“Graham and his team help injured birds, feeding them along the Caversham Promenade and even carrying out checks during the night and early hours to make sure birds and their babies are safe from poachers,” said the nominator.

The group regularly responds to callouts from members of the public, travelling across the borough and often beyond to rescue wildlife in distress and transport animals to specialist rescue centres and hospitals.

The nominator recalls their own experience with the team after discovering a dove in their garden that was unable to keep its balance.

“Graham arrived quickly and realised the bird was severely dehydrated because of the hot weather,” they said. “He took it all the way from Tilehurst to a specialist pigeon hospital where it made a full recovery.”

They also highlighted the special bond Graham has built with the birds he cares for regularly.

“When he goes to feed them, they all come running towards him,” the nominator added. “It’s beautiful to watch the videos he shares with the community.”