Charity N E W S BRANSBY HORSES,
YOU'VE GOT THE SKILLS. WE'VE GOT THE OPPORTUNITIES. ALL WE NEED IS YOU TO VOLUNTEER
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity is seeking volunteers for a variety of rewarding roles to help support the local Armed Forces community. SSAFA provides financial, practical, and emotional support for serving personnel, veterans, and military families across the UK and worldwide. All backgrounds and experiences are welcomed to volunteer, and a military background is not essential. SSAFA promotes inclusivity and diversity and would encourage anyone to consider volunteering for the opportunity to inspire and guide others with the wisdom and perspective you have in life. The volunteer roles are varied, flexible and very rewarding, giving back to those that have served. Previous experience is not necessary as training will be provided.
one of the UK’s largest equine welfare and rescue charities, have faced their most challenging year to-date. Following recent Government guidance, the charity has closed their doors once again to the public until 1st April 2021; however, their dedicated teams have continued to work hard for equines in need through what is proving to be the most challenging time in their 52-year history. The charity relies solely on public support to help them care for the hundreds of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules across their two sites in Lincolnshire, and fund their vital rescue and welfare work across the UK. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become evident that the demand for animal welfare charities, such as Bransby Horses, are on the rise. This could be due to many different factors such as; owner’s ill health and financial hardship, through to increased concerns for equine welfare. In 2020 alone, 96 equines were rescued from bad conditions or were willingly signed over to Bransby Horses. The cost of caring for an equine is an average of £30 per day and the charity has over 300 equines in their care. With this in mind the charity needs your support now, more than ever, to continue the life changing work they do. There are many ways to support the charity from donating, fundraising and purchasing products via the online shop, to leaving a gift in your Will. To find out more, please contact us on 01427 788 464 or visit BransbyHorses.co.uk
Retired BT Manager, Eric Smith, is Chairman of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan branch of SSAFA. Though he does not have direct experience of being in the military, he was inspired to join because of his son who served in the Territorial Army. “I'm very proud of the work that SSAFA does. It's just the satisfaction of knowing you're doing something worthwhile instead of twiddling your thumbs or looking for your next holiday. You're doing something useful. Once you've given up work, it can be difficult to get a focus. But this is a wonderful focus, because you're doing good in the world, and that's quite something these days, knowing you've helped people. That's the real key, for me. “Anyone thinking about volunteering for SSAFA, give it a try. There are different roles you can do which will suit you and your lifestyle, so I would always say go for it.”
ROBBIE THE ROBIN receives
urgent medical treatment and is released back into the wild
At Tiggywinkles, they are dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating British wildlife. They are open 24hrs a day, 7 days a week to help any wild animal in need and their Everyone who offers their time to volunteer with SSAFA makes a huge difference. service is free of charge. They rely on donations to provide their life-saving care for patients like Robbie the robin, who arrived in their care under unusual circumstances! If you are interested in volunteering for SSAFA, please visit: www.ssafa.org.uk/volunteer As the World’s leading teaching wildlife hospital, they have lots of students on site and one of their Level Two Animal Care students found Robbie on the pathway of their grounds. She immediately realised he needed help as he was lying flat They receive no government funding, so the Wild Futures rescues and offers sanctuary to and couldn’t fly. She rushed him into triage and their duty nurse generosity of those that remember Wild Futures monkeys who have suffered abuse and neglect. quickly assessed his condition. is essential to enable them to continue their work. They are dedicated to protecting primates Sadly, Robbie was suffering from temporary ataxia – the loss of A legacy can be the gift of a life worth living and and their habitats worldwide – primates are coordination and control of movement – and the team suspected a wild and safe future for all. endangered due to climate change, habitat he had sustained head trauma. To treat his symptoms, their vet destruction and the bush-meat and pet trades. Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on so put Robbie on a short course of antibiotics and pain relief. many people, charities, and organisations For some species, it is too late. The After one week of treatment, Robbie was once again flying worldwide. Wild Futures are facing their future of all that remains lies in our around his cage and was ready for release. hardest couple of years in their history hands, so leaving a legacy to Wild They were so happy that they could help this beautiful bird and are appealing for help to see Futures is the gift of life and back to the wild and although they never want any wild animal them through this time. If you would a future for primates and our to find itself in trouble, it is nice to think that they know where like to know more about them, and wonderful planet. to come, should they ever need help! Their doors are always their Covid-19 emergency appeal, Wild Futures’ holistic approach open to any wild animal in need, even walk-ins! To help them please visit www.wildfutures.org/ makes them unique – providing care for patients like Robbie, please consider donating. They covid-19-emergency-appeal. sanctuary to rescued monkeys, Thank you receive no government or lottery funding, so they need your supporting projects overseas, help – every penny helps Tiggywinkles help them! For more information call 01503 262532, campaigning for primate welfare, email fundraising@wildfutures.org or visit the www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk educating to protect primates worldwide and website at www.wildfutures.org promoting a sustainability and ethical ethos. 29
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