FANS of the BBC’s popular programme Countryfile will have seen a north Wiltshire farm feature in Sunday’s broadcast.

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has launched an appeal to support the work of Lakeside Care Farm, on the Lower Moor nature reserve near Aston Keynes, so presenter Matt Baker met students and staff to learn about the important work being done to improve children’s lives through bonding with therapy animals.

Dugald McNaughtan, the trust’s head of fundraising and communications, said: “The response to the show has been fantastic, with people speaking to us and on social media.

“The best thing about it is that we are very happy how the Care Farm was represented. It showed the importance of the work, and the depth of the transformation that is possible.”

Using animals and nature in a therapeutic way, the care farm has supported many young people who face challenges at school, helping them to be aware of their emotions and reduce their social anxiety, which can take many of them back into education.

In order to help expand the care farm and reach more young people, the trust wants to raise £5,000 to rescue more animals for the therapy animal programme.

The trust needs £3,000 to foster a small group of rescue goats and to build their living space and shelter.

A further £700 will pay for a year’s worth of goat food, £500 will pay for materials for interacting with the animals and another £500 will pay for initial vets’ fees and vaccinations. Visit wiltshirewildlife.org/carefarm