A SELFLESS rescue couple have been working around the clock to save injured birds despite facing transformative challenges themselves.

Amy Lee, 30, founded Wonderful Wings in 2018 as a bird rescue and rehoming service in Harwich.

A few months later, she was joined by Charlie Fenner, a 37-year-old volunteer whose decision to adopt a parrot led to her becoming Amy’s rescue partner.

The Dovercourt duo have helped almost 300 wild birds last year, while rehoming around 60 pets.

Gazette:  Amy Lee,30 and Charlie Fenner, 37 with donations from Argos Amy Lee,30 and Charlie Fenner, 37 with donations from Argos

But when Charlie got diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2021, this meant they had to drastically reduce the number of birds they take care of.

Charlie said: “I am still sitting on social media and giving people advice and directing them.

“I have a PICC line inserted in my arm and the infection risk is very high so temporarily I have had to minimise the animals we have got here and get my children more heavily involved.

“A lot of the animals went out to fosters and some of them have fallen in love with the animals and decided to adopt them permanently.

“ Once the PICC line is removed and I am feeling better I will be back on board.“

Gazette: Charlie's son Saxon Carney,9 with Dickie and Gremlin, two surrendered green cheek conuresCharlie's son Saxon Carney,9 with Dickie and Gremlin, two surrendered green cheek conures

Until then, most of the responsibilities of the rescue will be falling on the big-hearted founder.

Amy said:” The first thing Charlie said to me when she got diagnosed was that she was feeling guilty she has to step back.

“She didn’t think of anything else.”

Amy, who wanted to be a vet when she was growing up, founded Wonderful Wings when she realized the area was lacking bird rescues.

Gazette: Wonderful WIngs rescue takes care of both domestic and wild birdsWonderful WIngs rescue takes care of both domestic and wild birds

She added: “I always loved animals and the way that people are nowadays is no one really cares and I don’t like that.

“We have had quite few cases of neglect as well – we have some rabbits who were weighing only 600 grams.

“It is also very difficult when we have losses, but you have to take the good with the bad.

“We do it to know we have changed some lives.”

To help visit Wonderful Wings on Facebook.