A WOMAN who runs an owl rescue centre has described a new partnership as a ‘dream come true’.

Hotel chain voco has announced the collaboration with Chrissie’s Owls in Stonesfield and said it is ‘excited’ to partner with owner Chrissie Harper.

Nesting boxes installed around the hotel gardens will hopefully create a safe breeding ground for the birds and also means hotel guests may even spot an owl or two.

The partnership will also see the hotel provide Ms Harper with a year’s supply of food for the birds.

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Furthermore, at Chrissie’s Owls, the hotel will provide materials to replace the existing aviaries, giving the rescued birds a more secure, weather resistant home.

Ms Harper, 70, said: “It’s a bit of a miracle really, I still can’t believe it’s happened.

“Caring for the owls and other birds of prey, as I have done for over 20 years, comes with considerable expense.

“The support from voco Oxford Thames will have a huge impact on my ability to rescue and rehabilitate the birds.

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“I’ve struggled in recent years to pay for the costs as it’s a really hard job to get funding for.

“As a small, local charity, it’s one of the most significant donations we’ve ever received.”

Before the new partnership, Ms Harper used to rely on funding through school visits, talks and donations.

Elle Garner, general manager at voco Oxford Thames, said: “As a new brand, sustainability is a fundamental part of our approach to business.

“As a symbol of our guest experience, protecting owls in partnership with Chrissie’s Owls ensures guests will continue to see owls outside of the hotel, as well as in.”

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Ms Harper started the centre 20 years ago with her husband Tom, who died four years ago.

“When we set up, we used to do school visits and then we started the rescue work; I didn’t expect it to take off as it has.

“I’m an animal person and very much into wildlife.”

Ms Harper can accommodate up to 96 birds a year and said looking after the owls - which includes 40 long-term residents - is a ‘full-time commitment’.

“I don’t go on holiday or anything like that, I work 8am till 7.30pm every day.

“Even when I had bronchitis recently, I was out with the owls.”

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Meanwhile, plaques around the hotel will provide details about the partnership and information about the birds.

Oxford Thames is the UK’s third voco property and reopened its doors following a conversion in July 2019.

One of the chain’s mascots is in fact an owl and as one of its brand emblems, voco Oxford Thames ‘instinctively wanted to help protect these birds’.

Most of the birds at Chrissie’s Owls are rescued after being hit by vehicles.

In 2016, Ms Harper hit the headlines when pop singer Will Young paid a surprise 2am visit to the sanctuary.

Mr Young was driving back from a concert when an owl flew into his car, yet the star managed to find the sanctuary and allow Ms Harper to help the bird.