AN animal sanctuary which saved the life of a disabled bullock by building him a wheelchair has issued a last-ditch plea for funding to save the haven.

Sharon Lawlor, who runs the Calf refuge in Ryedale, North Yorkshire, said dwarf bullock Duke and 58 other animals, including sheep, pigs, chickens, turkeys and goats, faced an uncertain future unless more than £12,000 was raised within three weeks.

The crowdfunding campaign, which was launched in January to rehome the animals after it became clear the lease on the sanctuary's land would not be renewed, stands at £67,831 from donations, following Mrs Lawlor handing over her savings and selling her assets to raise a further £120,000 to reach the £200,000 target.

The sanctuary attracted worldwide interest last year when it ran a successful fundraising drive to rescue Duke, a Hereford bullock that had been rejected by a farmer as he was a dwarf, before suffering leg injuries from a fall or attack while in a field.

News of Duke's plight sparked a wave of donations, enabling the haven to pay for his treatment and a provide him with a shelter with built-in lifting hoist and a wheelchair to help him stand and walk in his field.

Mrs Lawlor said the latest appeal had been backed from people all over the world, with donations of artwork, letters and cards through the post, people doing bungy jumps, coffee mornings, bake sales, and sponsored runs.

She added if the £80,000 crowdfunding appeal target was not reached by the end of March, she feared losing a chance to move from the haven near Malton and buy a new base for the sanctuary.

Mrs Lawlor hopes to secure its future by opening the centre to visitors and having accommodation for people to stay, and has plans to open a café and shop.

She said: "We have been astounded by the love for calf sanctuary and we are so grateful for all the support from everybody, it really is very touching.

"Failure to get this new place is unthinkable for the animals in our care, especially for Duke with his specials needs, which makes it near-impossible to re-home him.

"It would absolutely break my heart to lose Duke and this once in a lifetime chance for Calf’s forever home.”

For details about the fundraising campaign, visit chuffed.org/project/dukes-place-called-home or facebook.com/Duke-Bullock