TIGGYWINKLES TO THE RESCUE WITH NEW HILUX AMBULANCE

Toyota donates Double Cab pickup to leading wildlife hospital

Toyota GB has donated a new Hilux to help the Tiggywinkles wildlife hospital in its work rescuing and caring for sick, injured and orphaned animals. The gift of the Double Cab Invincible pickup is a replacement for the 4Runner model Toyota provided 20 years ago, a vehicle which has done stalwart service across the south of England.

Tiggywinkles, based near Aylesbury, has been rescuing, treating and rehabilitating British wildlife for more than 30 years. Tending to more than 10,000 casualties a year, the charity operates the world’s busiest wildlife hospital, dealing with all species from hedgehogs and badgers to deer and swans. The organisation runs entirely on donations and receives no public funding.

The Hilux Double Cab is perfectly equipped for serving as an animal ambulance, transporting Tiggywinkles’ teams cross-country and accessing remote and off-road locations where their help is needed.

The all-wheel drive vehicle has been specially adapted for its role, with increased ground clearance and a snorkel air intake unit, helping it tackle terrain and flooded roads beyond the reach of most vehicles. It has also been fitted with a Truckman top over the rear deck, roof rack, high-mounted LED lighting bar, front winch, towbar and Tiggywinkles livery.

As well as rugged, reliable performance, the Invincible delivers car-like comfort and convenience. Seating up to five, it is equipped as standard with cruise control, electric windows, heated door mirrors, automatic air conditioning and Toyota Touch touchscreen multimedia system with Bluetooth and a rear-view camera. There is a full complement of safety features, including front, side and curtain airbags, ABS and Vehicle Stability Control.

Tiggywinkles Founder, Les Stocker, said: “We’re grateful for Toyota’s continued practical support for the work we do. Having a vehicle we can rely on to get our teams safely to where they’re needed, no matter what the conditions, is vital for our work. The new Hilux will be a great, lasting asset and will be of particular use when we need to transport the larger animals we care for.”

Thomas Rosselle, Toyota Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Affairs, said: “We’re delighted Tiggywinkles enjoyed two decades of faultless service from the 4Runner. When we heard that the time had come for the vehicle to be retired, we thought the Hilux would be the perfect replacement and we hope the charity enjoys many more successful years with its new Toyota.”

ENDS

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Note to Editors:

Tiggywinkles, The Wildlife Hospital Trust, is a specialist hospital. Using every available veterinary welfare skill, it is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating all species of British wildlife.

All British wild animal casualties brought to the hospital are treated completely free of charge and are released through a controlled programme, back to the wild, when they are fully fit.

Tiggywinkles survives on a solid base of membership and relies on donations from the general public and sponsors to thrive. It receives no state funding of any kind and no financial assistance from conservation groups. To find out more go to http://www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk