Mount Rowan woman Sharon Hinchliffe, who started up the Possum Paws Wildlife Shelter with her own savings, is looking for donations to help keep the shelter open.

Starting with a single basket, she has spent the past year building enclosures in her backyard to meet the growing demand of lost and injured animals being brought to her house. But with so many expenses in the upkeep of the shelter, Ms Hinchliffe is hoping to gain some support from the local community.

While juggling up to 20 injured animals, including possums, birds, gliders and swans, Ms Hinchliffe has found time to make soy melts, mugs and key rings that she hopes to sell to raise funds for the wildlife shelter.

“I want to expand some enclosures and get some aviaries in for the swans,” she said.

But it’s also about buying basic supplies, including building supplies, wire, sewing cotton, flannelette sheets, bird- seed and unscented tissues, which Ms Hinchliffe said would make looking after the animals easier.

“Every little bit counts,” she said.

Ranging from $1 to $10, the soy melts, mugs and key rings are currently available to purchase from the Miners Retreat Motel in Eureka Street, with 100 per cent of the profits utilised to care for the injured wildlife.

To donate items, you can call Ms Hinchliffe on 0424 579 736.