VOLUNTEERS WITH veterinary and animal caring experience are needed to assist the team at Edinburgh's Gorgie City Farm during the coronavirus crisis.

The community educational farm is located in the heart of the city and is therefore closed to visitors due to the outbreak – but its team of three is still working behind closed doors to maintain the site and take care of the animals until the situation gets back to normal.

To build a contingency plan to secure the welfare of the animals, organisers are now building a database of volunteers who would be able to step in if any members of the team fell sick or needed to self-isolate.

Lynn Bell of LOVE, the charity operating the farm, said: “We understand that in this particular moment in time there is an enormous pressure on front line workers, and these of course includes veterinarians.

“Taking this into consideration, we are only asking those that would like to volunteer to register with us and if at any point we need their help we will get in touch with them," she explained.

“We are overwhelmed by all the support and generosity we have received from the community during these critical times. It has certainly surpassed all our expectations and we are sure that their invaluable help will continue to amaze us as we work through this crisis,” Ms Bell concluded.

Those wanting to get in touch with the farm should contact gorgie@l-o-v-e.org.uk

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