A NATURE-inspired homewares and gifts company that started its own campaign to help save the Scottish Seabird Centre from closure by selling limited edition puffin prints exceeded its £10,000 target.

The campaign was run by Creature Candy, based in Warwickshire, which donated a third of the money from each sale, or £5, to the charity, which is based in North Berwick.

The initiative ran for four weeks.

Just under £13,200 was raised, with £6,000 being donated to the Seabird Centre.

Initially, those at Creature Candy hoped to donate £3,000.

Prints were bought by more than 350 people, with Creature Candy “completely blown away with all the lovely coverage and comments” received.

The small profit made from the prints was invested into new or similar projects so that Creature Candy can raise awareness of declining species.

Those at the business were thankful for all of the “wonderful” support it got through the campaign.

Celebrities such as naturalists Chris Packham and Nick Baker, as well as TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, all backed the campaign.

East Lothian Courier:

Susan Davies, chief executive of the Scottish Seabird Centre, said “We were delighted to work with Creature Candy on their puffin Crowdfunder appeal, which exceeded our expectations by raising double their initial target.

“It was great to see wildlife ambassadors such as Chris Packham and Gordon Buchanan join in by adding their signature to a small number of the colourful puffin prints – this undoubtedly helped boost awareness both of the Crowdfunder and our separate urgent appeal following the centre’s closure due to Covid-19. 

“Creature Candy have a strong reputation in raising funds to support the work of charities like the Scottish Seabird Centre and we hope to work collaboratively with Lizzie and her team in the future.”

East Lothian Courier:

The Scottish Seabird Centre launched its appeal in May and aimed to raise £200,000.

Following its closure due to the coronavirus lockdown in March, the Seabird Centre has now re-opened and, as reported in the Courier, a £50,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund has now secured its immediate future; however, its chief executive says it still needs public support to survive the financial impact of Covid-19 through to next year.