Dame Judi Dench opens new facility at Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital

Dame Judi Dench has opened a new nature hospital.

The actress, who featured in a fundraising film for the new facility in 2020, opened the new Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital building in Newton Tony, near Salisbury, on Sunday.

The new facility replaces the existing building, which is in need of renovation.

Dame Judi said she wanted to support the charity after seeing the work “so many” volunteers did during a visit “a few years ago”.

Opened more than 30 years ago by Mike Korkis and Marilyn Bowes Korkis, Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital is a registered charity that relies on public donations and volunteer support.

The service, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, cares for more than 4,000 injured, orphaned or displaced animals every year.

Speaking about her latest visit, Dame Judi said the old building was “just a shed” and that she had “never seen a shed like that”.

“There were hedgehogs piled from floor to ceiling, every animal you could imagine,” she added.

Dame Judi, who said she ‘always had animals in her family’, said she also wanted to support the charity because of her love of animals.

“What better to be associated with,” she added.

Dame Judi said she was “very concerned” about the state of wildlife in the country, particularly “the felling of trees” and had grown as many trees as possible in her garden to protect animals.

“Without trees, without hedges, we won’t have those animals,” she said.

When asked why she is committed to charities such as Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital, Dame Judi said: “I think it is important that anyone who is passionate about it gets involved.”

Dame Judi said the charity “wouldn’t be here” without the help of the volunteers “who care”.

Mrs Bowes Korkis said the new building was funded by donations, including an inheritance left in someone’s will.

“It brings tears to my eyes,” she said.

She said the team had been working in “not good conditions” so far, so they were “incredibly lucky” to finally have a new home.

Mrs Bowes Korkis said it has been wonderful to see the charity, which “started in Mike’s house, in a room with a few hedgehogs”, growing.

Ms Bowes Korkis thanked Dame Judi, who she described as a “special lady” and a “British icon”, for her support.

Mr Korkis said they were “astounded” when Dame Judi agreed to support their fundraising campaign.

Maria Dunn started volunteering at the charity after retiring for medical reasons.

“It gave me a reason to get out of the house,” she said.

During Dame Judi’s visit, Ms Dunn said it was “really exciting” and that she was a “key element” in being able to raise enough money for the new building.

She said: “She was the one who gave us the publicity to raise money for this.”