A COUPLE who had dedicated their lives to saving mistreated or sick animals now need help themselves.

Sally and Dave Rowley fear for the future of their sanctuary, Weardale Animal Rescue, near Stanhope, County Durham, because a freak accident has left Mrs Rowley bedridden and unable to work.

She twisted her spine stacking hay bales at the remote centre and was airlifted to hospital after her husband found her lying on the ground screaming with pain.

The couple say they are desperate for help after hearing from doctors that it will be months before Mrs Rowley, 42, will be able to walk.

She damaged the nervous system down her left side and cannot feel or move her left leg. She needs constant care and cannot be left alone for more than a few minutes.

This means Mr Rowley is shouldering the burden of looking after all the animals.

Because his wife needs constant attention he cannot leave her to do routine jobs such as collecting feed.

And there is no time for any of the fundraising activities that keep the centre going, leaving the couple fearing that some of the animals could go hungry if they cannot find help.

The Rowleys founded the centre in 2000 to take in family pets that could no longer be cared for by their owners.

Since then, they have saved the lives of dozens of animals, from unwanted cats to injured wild deer and owls.

They rely on gifts and donations from animal lovers.

Mrs Rowley said: “It is me that goes out to pick up feed from places in Teesside and Darlington, but now I can’t and Dave can’t leave me for two hours, so we need help.”

Their problems worsened last week when the generator that supplies electricity to the sanctuary broke down.

Although they have another on loan from a friend, they need money to get them through the next few weeks.

Mr Rowley, 43, said: “A lot of people say we should give up, but we never will. We have dedicated our lives to the rescue centre, so even when times are this hard I have to believe they will get better.”

Anyone who can help is asked to call the centre on 01388-526375 or 07733-153516.