Farewell to Tiggywinkles' founder

Nearly three hundred mourners attended the funeral and memorial service of Tiggywinkles' founder Les Stocker on Tuesday 2nd August.

The service was held at St Mary's Church, just a few hundred yards from Tiggywinkles on Aston Road, Haddenham, where Mr Stocker and his family established their wildlife rescue and teaching hospital.

Mr Stocker, who was awarded the MBE by the Queen and was an Honorary Associate of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, passed away while returning from a holiday in late July. He was 73.

He dedicated his life to the conservation and care of wild animals, and his sudden passing was a shock to Haddenham residents and the wildlife community.

Mr Stocker authored a number of books on wildlife issues as well as carrying out his work at Tiggwinkles, which closed its visitor centre for the day so that staff could pay their respects.

His funeral and memorial service was led by Rev. Margot Hodson, and included a tribute from Michael Goth, a Trustee of Tiggywinkles, and a reading by Colin Baker, former Dr Who actor and Vice President of Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital Trust.

If anyone would like to donate money in Mr Stocker's name, the obvious choice, of course, is Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital Trust — you can do so here.