The Charity Pages Issue 17

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Charitable thoughts...

Just when we all thought the crisis was over and things were getting back to normal, the world has been turned upside down again. A perfect storm of rampant inflation and a war in Europe have knocked charities off their stride at a time when resources were depleted following two years of COVID restrictions.

When the invasion of Ukraine caused hundreds of thousands of displaced people to flee west, not everyone welcoming the refugees had good intentions and there have been many cases of exploitation of people already at their lowest ebb. Charities must be on their guard when dealing with people they do not know, the Charity Commission says, and not allow the exploiters to thrive.

Even on our own shores, the generosity of people at a time of crisis acts as a lure to the unscrupulous. As at all times of increased charitable giving, the bodies overseeing charities have issued a call for people to ensure the causes they are giving to are genuine.

Similarly, those taking it upon themselves to help must act in a responsible manner.

• The cost of living crisis is also threatening charities with a ‘triple whammy’ – an upsurge in need for their services when donations may fall and their own costs

are on the increase. A number of umbrella organisations are encouraging charities to act now to mitigate the effects of the impending inflation ‘bomb’, such as by encouraging the use of Gift Aid. • An increasingly significant force in charity fundraising is the use of social media. It can be a force for good – honest – but it is a two-edged sword and one that must be subject to tight controls by charities’ managers.

• Even COVID hasn’t gone away completely, of course, and led to the continued online staging of the annual Legacy Strategy Summit. This year the theme was how charities can maximise the potential of their legacy strategy to help recovery. Plus, there was an exclusive preview of organisers Smee & Ford’s influential ‘Trends’ report.

• Some events have managed to return to an in-person format. They included the annual conference of the Institute of Legacy Management. At the conference a number of prestigious awards were presented. They included institute’s own ILM Awards and the Crispin Ellison Bursary Awards. The latter now form part of the Legacy Futures Awards, whose winners have also been announced. Our congratulations go to all the winners.

In this issue...

CONTENTS 7

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Legacy professionals meet in person for annual conference

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Virtual summit brings together all things legacy

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Probate awards celebrate anniversary with new category

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Dates announced for Remember A Charity Week

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Legacy Futures Award winners announced

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Donors urged to take care when giving to Ukraine causes

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Charity Commission issues alert on Ukraine sexual exploitation risk

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Review prompts regulator to make change to Preference Service

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#BeMoreDigital reverts to a physical conference

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Love it or loath it, you’re on social media

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Charities Act 2022: don’t panic, the changes are mostly beneficial

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Inflation impacts on charities in many ways

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CIoF takes over #GivingTuesday reins

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Charity Awards take their place in the diary

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Every day we make good things happen, but we can only do it with your help The photograph on the right of border collie Nipper was taken on the same day that he’d been taken to a vet’s to be put to sleep.

Purchased as a ‘surprise’ gift, he was unwanted. The beautiful puppy was just eight weeks old and is just one of over 9,500 animals rescued

by Friends of the Animals.

There was a happy ending as – now renamed Stanley – he was rehomed with one of the charity’s voluntary drivers, who adores him.

Friends of the Animals began in March 1990 and had very humble beginnings. Veterinary treatment is invariably the charity’s biggest outgoing and to date they have spayed or neutered 42,200 animals.

Thousands more have been wormed and inoculated – often for the first time in their lives!

Founder Helen Sinclair MBE, who was honoured for Services to Animal Welfare in 2014, takes up the story: “There have been many memorable cases, where we’ve saved animals’ lives against all the odds. Animals such as the puppy who slipped under the railings of a balcony – luckily bouncing off the conservatory roof which broke her fall. Then there was the dog who fell down a manhole in the road after someone had removed the cover, and poor Marshall, who had three broken legs and a severed ear.

“Susie, a Labrador/Staffy cross (pictured above), was badly burnt in a house fire, but made a good recovery; and the dear little cat on the right had everything wrong with him, but survived and thrived.”

Pictured below is the hook that 11-month-old Spaniel/Dachshund cross Darcy swallowed

while walking on the beach.

The fisherman who carelessly discarded it could have had absolutely no idea of the immense suffering – or money – his actions that day cost. An X-ray revealed the hook was dangerously lodged in her oesophagus and the first vet she went to couldn’t remove it, so Darcy was referred to a specialist vet. Their first attempt – at a cost of £4,000 – failed to reach it, but the second attempt was successful and happily she made a complete recovery.

Gifts in wills fund more than one in three veterinary treatments and so legacies are an absolute lifeline to the rescue and spaying/neutering work carried out

by Friends of the Animals.

Helen continued: “Friends of the Animals has a policy of non-destruction, unless an animal is sick or injured with no hope of recovery, and we keep admin costs to a minimum.

Very importantly, around 98% of our staff are volunteers, which ensures as much of your gift as possible is spent on saving animals.”

Pitted against that constant battle to save animals was the action of the person who set fire to the front of the charity’s building on the Isle of Wight.

“But, happily,” said Helen, “we're a resilient team and together with the help of supporters, we barely skipped a beat and just kept on going.

“We truly appreciate that people have many choices regarding charities to support, but no one appreciates it more, or tries harder than we do, to get the very best possible use from every penny donated. Thank you for your consideration.”

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If you Will, we will [LEGACIES MEAN SO much to the team at Last Chance

Animal Rescue. These wonderful gifts have helped them to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home so many abandoned, abused and unwanted dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, rabbits and guinea pigs who otherwise would have had no future.

The charity understand the wishes of its kind benefactors who have considered them in their Wills. A spokesperson said: “We know they want their generous gift to us to be used directly to save lives, provide the very best of care and to find loving homes.

“Legacies really do provide the gift of life and Last Chance Animal Rescue can now, after much planning and prudent use of funds, offer our life saving services to so many more needy pets. We are delighted to announce we now have a second rescue and re-homing centre in Kent, giving hope and a A new friend for Alan true last chance to so many.

“Sadly we cannot thank those who have enabled this wonderful achievement but are extremely grateful to all those who are currently considering helping us now and in the future to continue our work.” q

Legacies – the gift of life [

ANIMAL CHARITY Wild Futures rescues and offers sanctuary to monkeys who have suffered abuse and neglect. They are dedicated to protecting primates and their habitats worldwide – primates are endangered due to climate change, habitat destruction and the bush-meat and pet trades.

For some species, it is too late. The future of all that remains lies in our hands, so leaving a legacy to Wild Futures is the gift of life and a future for primates and our wonderful planet.

Wild Futures’ holistic approach makes them unique – providing sanctuary to rescued

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monkeys, supporting projects overseas, campaigning for primate welfare, educating to protect primates worldwide and promoting a sustainability and ethical ethos.

They receive no government funding, so the generosity of those that remember Wild Futures is essential to enable them to continue their work. A legacy can be the gift of a life worth living and a wild and safe future for all. q • For more information call 01503 262532, email giving@wildfutures.org or visit the webiste at www.wildfutures.org.

Legacy professionals meet in person for annual conference [THIS YEAR’S Annual Conference of the Institute of Legacy Management (ILM) took place in person on 6 May, in association with Bates Wells. All those who attended agreed it was a fantastic event, with a great range of sessions – as well as a chance to catch up with legacy friends old and new.

It was, as the ILM posted, after a long twoyear wait, but welcome just the same.

As well as a session from headline sponsor Bates Wells on the Charities Act, the conference heard updates from Legacy Foresight and HMCTS and participated in a range of fascinating panel discussions.

A major subject area of the day was fraud, with many charities suffering increased attention from fraudsters following the pandemic. One speaker was Daniel Pepper, senior legacy income manager at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

He recounted two instances where lawyers had attempted to defraud RNIB and another charity of legacies. One of them hinged on asking questions about a sum of £350 for legal costs.

He told the conference: “The most important thing your charity has to deflect and identify fraud is you. You’re on the frontline against fraud in legacy work.”

He continued: “It’s our charity’s money; we’re entitled to that. This is not something there should be an argument about.

Someone has taken that time to say ‘I want these charities to benefit and I want them to benefit a lot.’ There is no question about it.”

Headline sponsor Bates Wells provided delegates with a factsheet in relation to fraud in legacies, which is available to download at legacymanagement.org.uk.

The conference also saw two awards ceremonies. The ILM Awards were sponsored by Legacy Futures and presented by Meg Abdy. Bethany Dowell of Battersea was crowned Legacy Professional of the Year and James Fernandes of CRUK won the inaugural CiCLA Mentor of the Year award.

Meanwhile, Mary Taylor Lewis of the University of York and Emma Newell of Claire House Children’s Hospice picked up the Crispin Ellison Bursary Awards. They are now part of the Legacy Futures Awards, which are reported on in detail on page 15. q

Make surgery your legacy with a free will writing service [

ALMOST FIVE MILLION surgical patients are admitted to hospital every year in England alone, so choosing to leave the Royal College of Surgeons of England a gift in your will can have a direct impact on the future of surgery and in maintaining and supporting the enhancement of surgical care for patients.

RCS England have now partnered with Bequeathed and are offering a free will writing service. The Bequeathed service offers supporters a free, fully advised will from an accredited legal professional. It takes three simple steps: 1. Go to the RCS England page at www.bequeathed.org/ rcsengland 1. and complete the online interview.

2. Have a 30-minute telephone/video appointment with a legal firm 1. to ensure the will fully caters for your needs.

3. Receive your will in the post – sign it, have it witnessed and 1. return it. They will check it has been executed correctly and store 1. it securely free of charge.

Sharing your vision

Legacies can support any area of the college’s work; unrestricted contributions can be used wherever the need is greatest and many are in support of an individual project or surgical specialty. Ultimately, RCS England want to understand what their supporters would like their gift to achieve.

To get in touch, you can email fundraising@rcseng.ac.uk or if you would like an informal chat, please call Nicola on 020 7869 6086. q

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Practical support helps to alleviate the impact of sight loss [

THERE ARE TWO MILLION people in the UK living with sight loss and by 2050 the figure is set to double. Being diagnosed with any form of sight loss is lifechanging and devastating for both the individuals concerned and their families.

The Partially Sighted Society is a national charity that understands this; it has been providing help and support to anybody living with sight loss for over 50 years.

The society’s range of services includes the design, printing and provision of bespoke school exercise books for children, a specialist low-vision and sight test service, and the provision of aids and equipment to assist those living with sight loss to continue to live full and independent lives.

They are there to offer support for both the practical and the emotional impact of sight loss, by phone and in person. They also offer a range of social and support activities to alleviate the social isolation that comes with sight loss.

Leaving a gift in a will is a meaningful way of helping The Partially Sighted Society to help others. Legacies leave a lasting impact on transforming the lives of those living with sight loss. q

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Virtual summit brings together all things legacy [THE IMPORTANCE and appreciation of legacy income is at an

all-time high, and the potential for the sector is substantial. Charity legacy teams must now do all they can to seize the opportunities in legacy fundraising to make the most of this highly valuable and growing income stream.

That was the message of the Legacy Strategy Summit 2022, with its theme Seize the full potential of your legacy campaign. The summit took place online on 14 June.

Prior to the event, organisers Smee & Ford described the summit’s aims thus: “Whether you’re looking to develop or update your current

Probate awards celebrate anniversary with new category

strategy, grow your legacy pledger pipeline or re-invent your whole legacy message, the Smee & Ford Legacy Strategy Summit will offer you experienced thought leadership, the latest solutions to your legacy fundraising challenges, and provide you with a useful space in which to share best practice and techniques with your colleagues from across the sector.”

Now in its fifth year, the one-day summit brought together legacy leaders and their teams from UK and international charities, alongside industry experts, with content specifically researched to provide learning for all delegates, regardless of charity size or legacy income total.

The programme was put together following extensive research with peers from the sector, to identify the opportunities for legacy fundraisers now, so the organisers can provide helpful and timely information to drive innovation, income and best practice.

The day began with Smee & Ford’s head data analyst Mark Pincher outlining the latest legacy trends, as detailed in the company’s latest report. Each delegate also received a copy of the report.

Pincher’s report was followed by the keynote address by Richard Radcliffe, the founder of Radcliffe Consulting. Richard asked: Is your board on board for legacy growth?

A day of case studies and panel discussions followed, including presentations by Lorna McPherson-Reed and Gaby Morgan of RNIB, Dan Garrett – CEO and co-founder of Farewill – and Hannah Harvey of the RNLI. q

[THE British Wills and Probate Awards will be celebrating their

5th year in October with the addition of a new category. The Charity Legacy Probate Collaboration of the Year Award is sponsored by the Institute of Legacy Management. It will recognise law firms and probate teams who proactively work with charity legacy teams to maximise the value of legacy income and smooth the distribution of the estate while understanding the legal and regulatory framework applying to charities.

The awards ceremony will take place on 20 October at The Grand Hotel in Birmingham and will be hosted by broadcaster, journalist and former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond – who is a longstanding host of the awards.

Introduced in 2018, the awards have become a mainstay of the wills and probate sector, highlighting achievement and recognising excellence in the industry. The 2022 awards will again be delivered as a hybrid event, with an in-person ceremony simultaneously livestreamed via The British Wills and Probate Awards website.

David Opie, managing director of online news site Today’s Media, which organises the awards, said: “After the successful return of the in-person ceremony last year, the British Wills and Probate Awards 2022 promises to be even bigger and better.”

Probate firms must nominate themselves for an award – there is a small entry charge – but they need an endorsement from a charity to do so. To enter visit www.britishwillsandprobateawards.co.uk. The deadline for entries is 22 July. q

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A small charity with a huge heart [

KIDNEY KIDS SCOTLAND, a very small charity with a huge heart, has for the last 22 years supported Scottish children with renal and urology conditions. The main aim of the charity has always been to enable these children to receive treatment as close to home as possible and minimise disruption to the family unit.

In addition the charity helps hospitals all over Scotland, supplying them with much needed equipment and funding posts recognised as being essential. Chronic Kidney disease is a condition that has no cure and that children and their families must learn to live with.

IMAGINE your child only being able to drink 400mls in one day. That’s less than two cartons of juice – a can of juice is 500mls.

IMAGINE being a parent where you must be home before 8pm every single night to ensure your child gets their daily home dialysis.

IMAGINE not being able to take your family abroad or too far away from the hospital because your child cannot go without their dialysis. This HAS to happen in hospital 3 or 4 times EVERY week.

IMAGINE your child missing out on school education, social activities, family members’ birthday celebrations, a sibling’s sports day or a family wedding because you need to make sure they receive their life saving dialysis treatment.

IMAGINE your child spending their birthday and/or Christmas Day in hospital and not being able to see their friends from week to week. q IMAGINE LIVING WITH KIDNEY DISEASE For more information about Kidney Kids Scotland please visit our website at www.kidneykids.org.uk, call 01324 555843 or email office@kidneykids.org.uk Kidney Kids Scotland can help in many ways

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Dates announced for Remember A Charity Week [THIS YEAR’S ANNUAL Remember A Charity Week

campaign will take place from 5-11 September. The week acts as a focus to encouraging more people to consider leaving a gift to charity in their will, after taking care of loved ones.

It is organised by umbrella group Remember A Charity, which brings together 200 of the UK's favourite charities to help them continue their good work, long into the future.

Leaving a gift in your will to charity, after taking care of family and friends, is the ultimate way to pass on something wonderful for generations to come, Remember A Charity says. Even a small amount can make a huge difference.

Past Remember A Charity Week events have employed eye-catching campaigns to promote the message – including sky-diving seniors, a charity-powered search engine and even the reforming of The Wombles!

Rob Cope, director of Remember A Charity, has commented: “Raising more than £3bn for good causes annually, legacies are a critical part of the UK fundraising landscape; but we shouldn’t be afraid of injecting a little humour into the way we talk about them with supporters. Legacies have a huge impact on the world and the more approachable we can make the topic the better.”

The week is supported by charities and will-writers alike, helping solicitors and other legacy professionals to get the message across.

The coming months will see more details emerging on what is planned for this year’s event. q

Saving lives one sniff at a time [HYPO HOUNDS provide a

viable health care alternative for children and their families by training a Diabetic Alert Dog to detect the subtle changes in the child’s blood sugar levels.

The dogs are trained to alert parents when the child’s sugar levels drop dangerously low or rise too high. This not only impacts on the child but also on the family’s ability to function as a unit, with the registered carer becoming the dog.

Hypo Hounds work is becoming nationally recognised and is literally saving the lives of children – one sniff at a time. q

Reducing isolation amongst young cancer patients

[YOUTH CANCER TRUST provides secure online support

activities and residential holidays for young people living with cancer in the UK. Both provide a safe place for young people to share their experience and reduce the sense of isolation that so many face.

According to the charity: “What’s extraordinary is that 83% of young people diagnosed with cancer experience loneliness during and after treatment, and nearly four in five of them want to interact online with other young people in similar situations.”

Young cancer patient Joely said: “I honestly don’t know what I’d have done without the support of Youth Cancer Trust these last few years, I’d have been in a very lonely place. You’ve made so much effort to keep us all together whilst going through treatment.

To have friends and you for support at the touch of a button anytime has meant the absolute world! Thank you.” q • For more information visit www.youthcancertrust.org

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Giving hope to the

[ONE IN SIX PEOPLE in the UK has a neurological disorder: that

amounts to 16.5 million mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, friends and colleagues – more than those affected by coronary heart disease, cancer and diabetes combined. It might be there from birth, be due to a slowly developing illness or the result of a brain injury.

The charity dedicated to raising funds to advance treatments and research at the National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery and the Institute of Neurology – together known as Queen Square – is The National Brain Appeal.

The driving force behind the charity’s work is the aim to improve the outcome and quality of life for everyone affected by a neurological condition. They include brain tumours, stroke, epilepsy, dementias, MS, motor neurone disease and Parkinson’s disease: all of which have no cure as yet. They look to achieve that vision by funding state-of-the-art equipment, major building programmes and life-saving research – over and above what the NHS can provide.

Legacies represent up to one quarter of The National Brain Appeal’s annual income.

“They are crucial to the fundraising work we do,” said chief executive Theresa Dauncey. “We’re extremely grateful for every legacy left to us. Leaving just 1% of your estate can make a very real difference and is an investment in the future.

The more money we receive, the more support we can give to the National Hospital, The National Brain Appeal’s chief executive Theresa Dauncey which in turn improves the

prospects for those affected by neurological disorders.”

Penelope was diagnosed with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) in 2004 at the National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery and attends a day care clinic run by a team of specialist nurses.

“My own personal journey with MMN makes me want to give back in whatever way I can,” she said. “That is why I have left a gift in my will to The National Brain Appeal. I want to help to fund crucial research into all neurological conditions going forward.”

Meta is a former National Hospital patient. She had successful surgery for a benign brain tumour there in 1988.

Since then both her husband and sister were diagnosed with Penelope attends a day care clinic neurological conditions. run by a team of specialist nurses

one in six

She explained: “My husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and sadly passed away just a few months ago. My sister has multiple sclerosis – she’s been living with it for more than 25 years now. These are cruel diseases for which there is no cure and little hope.”

With that in mind Meta has made The National Brain Appeal a major beneficiary in her will.

“The lack of a cure for so many debilitating neurological conditions is a strong motivator Meta has made The National Brain for me to want to help,” she Appeal a major beneficiary in her will continued, “and by leaving a legacy I can be part of something that will provide hope for others.”

You choose

Now more than ever, benefactors to The National Brain Appeal can control where they would like their money to go. There are six specific funding areas for which individuals can make a legacy pledge: • Neurology: funding initiatives to improve diagnosis and treatment, and • provide facilities for those with on-going neurological conditions • Neurodegeneration: supporting projects which help people with • conditions where there is progressive degeneration • Neurosurgery: providing state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for the • UK’s largest neurosurgery unit • Technology and innovation: supporting projects which translate • groundbreaking ideas into better results for patients • Education and staff development: investment to provide the best • opportunities and attract the best people in the field • Queen Square: new facilities and staff-led projects at the National • Hospital and the Institute of Neurology For those who do not specify a funding area, their gift can be put towards an area with the most urgent need. Without the generosity and foresight of those who leave a legacy, the charity simply could not support the number of vital projects that it is currently able to. q • For more information about legacies and the National Brain Appeal, contact info@nationalbrainappeal.org or view the legacy section of the website at nationalbrainappeal.org/legacy.

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Research aims to combat secondary cancer [

ONE IN SEVEN WOMEN develop breast cancer, making it the most common cancer in the UK. It doesn’t just affect women, though: around 400 men a year are also diagnosed with breast cancer.

Against Breast Cancer is a charity dedicated to funding pioneering research to improve detection and treatment, and increase survival after breast cancer diagnosis.

Improvements in diagnostic tools and treatment have extended the lives of many patients; however, secondary spread breast cancer still claims the lives of nearly 12,000 people a year in the UK – that’s around 1,000 people a month!

Secondary spread breast cancers – called metastases – occur when cancer cells break off from the original tumour and travel around the body to establish new tumours. These can arise in other places in the body, such as the lungs, bone, liver and brain; sometimes years after the primary tumour has been treated.

Kelly Gibson, head of fundraising at Against Breast Cancer explained: “The focus of our research is preventing secondary spread, which is the main cause of breast cancer-related deaths. By working with expert scientists located in world-class universities throughout the UK, our ultimate goal is to stop secondary breast cancer from claiming lives; and our unique approach is to do this by focusing our research on prevention, detection and therapies.”

Prevention: To understand how diet and lifestyle may increase or reduce the risk of secondary breast cancer developing, to provide evidence-based advice Detection: Designing better tools for the earlier detection and diagnosis of secondary breast cancer Therapies: How the body’s immune system can be harnessed for the development of more effective treatments and ultimately a vaccine against breast cancer

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The funds that supporters have raised has enabled the creation of a diet and lifestyle ‘biobank’, which contains biological samples and questionnaire data from over 3,000 women with breast cancer, who were monitored over a five-year period after diagnosis. It provides a vital resource to investigate why some people develop secondary breast cancers and some do not.

Current research projects include ABC Discover, which aims to identify biomarkers that could be used for earlier detection of secondary spread, and the long-term Therapeutic Antibody Programme, which is designing new therapies to help our immune system kill cancer cells more effectively.

Kelly continued: “In the future, we hope to support new research projects that will increase our understanding and treatment of secondary spread breast cancer. Can you pledge to leave a gift in your will to continue our research? Let’s look to the future and find a vaccine for future generations.” q • For more information email Kelly Gibson, head of fundraising, at kelly@againstbreastcancer.org.uk; or visit the website at againstbreastcancer.org.uk/legacy.

Legacy Futures Award winners announced [IN MAY the winners of the 2022 Legacy Futures Awards were

announced. The awards celebrate new and emerging talent in the legacy and in-memory field. Selected by an independent panel of experts, most of the award winners hail from the UK, but a campaign from Deakin University in Australia, led by Tracey King, stole the show in the Innovation category.

In August last year Deakin University embarked upon its inaugural digital acquisition campaign for legacies, aiming to build a strong pipeline of future philanthropic income. Approaching their alumni and encouraging them to consider leaving a gift in their will was not only a first for Deakin, but also for any Australian university.

Recognising that the cost of will-making can be a barrier, they offered a cost-effective online will service, which led to over 100 completed wills and several alumni writing Deakin into their will.

The Deakin fundraising team shared their learnings with peers, setting up a Gifts in Wills group of 30 universities across the country and 40 higher education professionals.

The judges of the Innovation Award – Lucinda Darby of Remember a Charity and Dr Claire Routley of Legacy Voice – praised the campaign planning. They were particularly impressed by the impact it had on the wider sector with the formation of the Australian Gifts In Wills network. The prize for the Innovation award sees the gifts in wills team at Deakin offered a design thinking workshop with Legacy Voice.

In other categories, the winners of this year’s Future Leader Award – celebrating those who are new to a legacy or in-memory giving role – were Abbie Barton at Tŷ Hafan, Nikita Gandhi of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust and Anna Webster of CancerCare.

The judges – Emma Bowles of Porchlight (a 2021 winner) and Lena Vizy of Amnesty International Netherlands – felt that each of the future leaders demonstrated exceptional fundraising abilities and strategic thinking, and that they would benefit and grow from the six-month mentorship offered to award winners.

The Crispin Ellison Award Winners were Mary Taylor-Lewis of the University of York and Emma Newell of Claire House Children’s Hospice.

Named in memory of former Legacy Link director Crispin Ellison, the award – selected by judges Carolyn Jones at the University of Liverpool (2021 award winner) and Meenaxi Patel at the British Heart Foundation – celebrates exceptional individuals working or volunteering in legacy administration and management.

The winners each receive a training package from the Institute of Legacy Management, funding the cost of the Certificate in Charity Legacy Administration (CiCLA).

Having only been in her role at the University of York for six months, Mary is the sole person responsible for legacy giving and she has demonstrated great progress and enthusiasm. The judges commented on her dedication and commitment to ensuring that legacy pledgers are continually looked after and stewarded.

Similarly, Emma hit the ground running in her role of legacy fundraiser at Claire House Children’s Hospice, where their legacy income continues to grow. Emma’s strong passion and enthusiasm comes across in droves, instilling legacy confidence across Claire House Children’s Hospice, and inspiring their legacy supporters. q

Helping the forgotten people of Zimbabwe [

ZANE: ZIMBABWE A NATIONAL EMERGENCY is a UK registered charity working to help the most destitute, vulnerable and impoverished people in Zimbabwe. It is the largest supplier of financial aid to elderly people in Zimbabwe who lost their life savings and pensions in the economic collapse and subsequent hyper-inflation.

This includes around 560 frail veterans and their widows who fought for the Crown. ZANE assists with rent, medical bills and food – and, crucially, also provides comfort, advice and support.

In addition, ZANE funds a clubfoot correction programme, successfully treating over 4,500 children to date. It funds the provision of prosthetic limbs for victims of landmine explosions and assists people with hearing loss. ZANE also funds education programmes including the provision of pop-up classrooms in highdensity townships for children who would otherwise not receive an education. It runs creative therapy workshops for women living in extreme poverty who are victims of political violence and trauma.

Zimbabwe remains in a state of crisis. The economy teeters on the brink of collapse. Fuel shortages are commonplace and with food prices escalating, ZANE’s aid is needed more than ever by the most destitute people in Zimbabwe. q • To find out more about the work of ZANE visit www.zane.uk.com

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Heartbeat horses on the move

[IN 2019, following the retirement of managing trustee Colin

Cooper, some of the Heartbeat horses moved to a new home at Sink Farm in Woodbridge, Suffolk.

Colin was very pleased to announce that the charity’s headquarters had moved to Hollesley where the current horses will live and be cared for alongside the wonderful Suffolk Punch horses.

Sink Farm is the colony stud for the Suffolk Punch Trust charity, who continue their important and essential work in preserving this unique breed. q • For more information on either charity please contact Tracey Pettitt, stud manager or David Clarke, finance director, on 01394 775495.

Heartbeat Homes for Horses, Sink Farm, St David’s Lane, Hollesley, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3JR

Cost of living crisis has a devastating impact [

THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS of the year have been the busiest in Hope Rescue’s 16-year history and the charity believes this is only going to intensify as cost of living rises take their toll on people’s pockets. They have taken in nearly 300 dogs at their rescue centre in Llanharan, which is nearly double pre-pandemic levels.

With many owners turning to them in desperate situations, they are receiving between 20 to 30 calls a day from owners saying their financial circumstances have changed. They are hearing from people who are struggling for money – they can’t afford vet bills and simply can no longer provide for their pets. On top of this, they are still seeing quite a high number of dogs that appear to be deliberately abandoned and are arriving as ‘strays’.

The charity currently has over 230 dogs in their care across its rescue and foster homes. Many of these dogs can't move to new homes due to ongoing legal investigations. The limited kennel space remaining needs to be reserved to ensure stray dog contracts are fulfilled. Over the last few weeks they have had not one, but nine apparent fake strays.

They are facing an animal welfare crisis with owners abandoning their pets almost daily, pretending to have found a stray rather than joining the rehoming waiting list. They are jumping the queue over those already waiting. Some owners on the list really need help due to issues such as poor health, the death of the owner or a tragic change in circumstances – but they are pushed further down the list due to the fake strays.

Many of these fake strays arrive with health problems which may well be the reason they have been abandoned. The charity’s vet bills are through the roof and are currently between £25,000 and £30,000 each month. Alongside this, utility bills last year were around £4,000 a month and are expected to be around 30% higher than that in the near future. On top of all of this, the cost of living crisis is also making fundraising understandably difficult. q

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Donors urged to take care when giving to Ukraine causes [AS THE WAR IN UKRAINE prompted

a large number of people to donate to relief charities, the Charity Commission and Fundraising Regulator urged the public to ‘give safely’ to registered charities, helping to support and protect people affected by the invasion.

In a statement, the Fundraising Regulator explained: “As the conflict and ensuing humanitarian situation in Ukraine continues to escalate, it is vital that charitable donations of goods and money reach their intended causes. UK charities are pivotal to a collective response to this crisis.”

The Disasters Emergency Committee – a coalition of 15 leading UK charities – launched a collective appeal to provide emergency aid and rapid relief to civilians suffering during the conflict. Many registered charities are also helping to provide vital life-saving services like water, food and healthcare to those caught up in the conflict, including those forced to flee to neighbouring countries.

The regulator continued: “By giving to a registered, regulated charity, the public can have assurance that their funds will be accounted for in line with the charity law framework. Established charities with experience of responding to disasters are usually best placed to reach victims on the ground.”

It had a word of advice to those wellmeaning individuals prompted to take action independently: “Members of the public initiating their own informal fundraising appeals that are not linked to established registered charities should be aware of the

on-going responsibilities associated with overseeing and managing funds and ensuring they are applied in line with donors’ wishes.”

It listed a number of simple checks potential donors should make before giving: • Check the charity’s name and registration • number at www.gov.uk/checkcharity. Most • charities with an annual income of £5,000 • or more must be registered, and donors • can use the advanced search function to • identify charities working in specific • regions and countries.

• Make sure the charity is genuine before • giving any financial information.

• Be careful when responding to emails or • clicking on links within them.

• Contact or find out more online about • the charity that you’re seeking to donate • to or work with, to understand how they • are spending their funds.

• Look out for the Fundraising Badge on • charity fundraising materials: that is • the logo which shows that a charity has • committed to fundraise in line with the • Code of Fundraising Practice.

Helen Stephenson CBE, chief executive of the Charity Commission, said: “The public, as always in times of crisis, has responded generously to help those in dire need in Ukraine itself or who have escaped to neighbouring countries. It’s important that this money goes to those who need it most, those whose lives have been uprooted by fighting. We encourage everyone to follow our simple steps to check that their money gets to its intended cause. Donating to a registered charity is a good way to feel confident of that.”

The Fundraising Regulator’s Gerald Oppenheim added: “The devastating situation in Ukraine has captured the hearts of people across the UK, leading to an outpouring of public generosity in response to fundraising campaigns. But people should think carefully before donating goods or money, so that their donations reach the people who need it most.

Charities are responsible for making sure that their donations are used for the purpose they were fundraised for.

“That is why, if you are thinking about supporting a fundraising campaign, you should make sure that it is for an established, registered charity that is subject to charity law and fundraising regulations.” q

Help for those with failing sight

[

FAILING EYESIGHT is nothing short of a personal catastrophe.

Do you have a family member, friend or neighbour who is gradually losing their sight?

Reading, recognising friends and living skills are all affected as your sight is going – and it’s much harder if you live alone.

The National Federation of the Blind of the UK (NFBUK) keeps its members in touch with general information, help and updates on what’s going on.

The charity produces bi-monthly news magazines and circulars in audio, braille or electronically, which members can read independently. It also encourages blind and partially sighted people to play a fuller part in society. q • For further information contact NFBUK on 01924 291313, email admin@nfbuk.org or visit www.nfbuk.org.

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Sending out an SOS for the owls [ESTABLISHED IN 2001, the Suffolk

Owl Sanctuary – known, appropriately, as S.O.S. – operates a comprehensive facility for the rescue, care and rehabilitation of owls across East Anglia. It also promotes the need for the conservation of endangered owl species throughout the UK with its Saving Britain's Owls initiative.

The S.O.S. owl and raptor hospital at Stonham Aspal is unique in the region.

It is specially equipped for the care and treatment of the many injured wild owls and other birds of prey it receives every year as a result of road traffic accidents, mishaps, starvation, trauma, disease, poisoning and sometimes even shooting or trapping.

Many of the birds can be given a recuperative, short-term pick-me-up before being re-released into the wild. Those that are more seriously injured but stand a chance of recovery are given medical aid and/or surgery, as determined by their vet. The birds are then allowed space and time to fully recuperate in one of the secluded recovery aviaries, before being carefully returned to the wild.

S.O.S. is regenerating its wild owl nest box scheme that includes building, locating and curating long-lasting, environmentally-friendly nest boxes in appropriate locations to replace the gradual erosion of natural nesting sites.

S.O.S. is funded purely by donations, and as a small charity the legacies it receives play an important role in enabling it to continue developing its resources in the interests of conserving owl and other bird of prey wildlife in the UK. q

This sanctuary helps donkeys from Britain, Europe and beyond [ESTABLISHED IN 1990, NEDDI offers care and safety to donkeys –

and to a lesser degree, ponies – in Britain and Europe who have suffered neglect, cruelty or maltreatment or who are at risk of such treatment.

In addition to rescuing such animals from undesirable situations, within the financial and practical constraints prevailing at the time, they work to try to change attitudes and to educate donkey owners into better practices. For example, since 2016 they have been assisting associates in Kenya to achieve those aims for the working animals there.

Since its establishment in Cornwall, NEDDI has operated a sanctuary specifically for distressed donkeys. In 2001 the sanctuary moved to just the other side of the channel, where the resident donkeys enjoy more space and pasture than would otherwise have been possible.

Its policy is to try to offer actual, hands-on help to the animals in need, and to restore them to the maximum possible degree of fitness.

Once brought back to full health, new homes are sometimes sought for the fit animals.

Where full health cannot be achieved a safe home is offered to the donkey for the duration of its life.

NEDDI is a comparatively small organisation with limited resources, and relies heavily on support from animal-lovers. A bequest will enable more donkeys to be freed from pain and misery. q

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Charity Commission issues alert on Ukraine sexual exploitation risk [THE CHARITY COMMISSION has issued an alert to raise

awareness among charities of the risk of sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment of those in need of assistance.

In a statement, the commission said: “We recognise the vital work charities are delivering, here and in the region, to support those affected by the crisis. Through our collaboration with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), we are aware that criminal groups are operating in the region. Charities need to be alert to the risks that some individuals may try to use the cover of charity for the purpose of sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment of those in need of assistance.

“All trustees must take reasonable steps to protect from harm people who come into contact with their charity – this is a fundamental part of fulfilling your trustee duties and operating as a charity for the public benefit. However, operating internationally in response to a humanitarian crisis will pose particular safeguarding challenges and we recognise that those fleeing from conflict will have experienced significant trauma, which may result in specific vulnerabilities.

“Whilst the risks faced, and how these are managed, will depend on the size, nature and complexity of the charity, trustees should consider what further steps they could take to ensure they are keeping people safe from harm.”

It listed a number of actions it expects of charities operating in the region. They should: • Assess and manage sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual • harassment risks and wider safeguarding risks in their charity and • for its operations

• Regularly review existing safeguarding policies and procedures • to ensure that they remain fit for purpose as the situation on the • ground evolves • Make sure trustees, staff and volunteers are suitable and legally • able to act in their positions, undertaking or updating vetting • checks as appropriate • Implement any training plans, especially following new recruitment • Use the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme if they are signatories • when hiring staff and volunteers, to help protect their charity and • other organisations from individuals who pose a safeguarding risk; • for those who are not currently signatories, they should apply the • principles of the scheme and then sign up to it as soon as feasible • Ensure all those connected to their charity understand how, and • feel able, to report concerns If a charity is responding to the crisis in Ukraine by working with partners, they must make sure that any grant recipient or partner body is suitable and they must have appropriate safeguarding procedures in place. Where a registered charity supports or works closely with overseas partners or not-for-profit organisations that are not registered with the commission, it will hold the registered charity to account over the suitability and management of that relationship – including its supervision of safeguarding risks.

For more information on conducting appropriate and proper due diligence, the commission’s Compliance Toolkit includes a range of practical tools. For specific due diligence guidance on safeguarding against sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment, charities may also wish to consider FCDO’s framework for implementing partners. q

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Promoting animal welfare beyond the farm gate [

GROWING NUMBERS of us are concerned about the welfare of animals that provide us with food. While many people recognise the importance of a good life on the farm, animals may also face welfare challenges ‘beyond the farm gate’.

The Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) plays a vital role in promoting the welfare of animals in markets, during transport and at slaughter, by providing funding and support for essential research.

Protecting crab and lobster welfare

At present, crustaceans (crabs and lobsters) are often killed by boiling or carving without first rendering them unconscious or ‘stunning’ them.

Some electrical stunning devices are available, but they have not yet been thoroughly validated. For other animals such as octopus and squid (cephalopods), the situation is even more dire with no routine stunning methods available.

The UK recently recognised that these species are sentient – in other words they are capable of both negative and positive experiences.

Therefore, it is vital that we protect their welfare and minimise suffering. To achieve this, the HSA has provided funding to support two research projects which aim to identify and scientifically validate humane stunning methods for these species.

The pig issue

In collaboration with Defra (the UK Government agriculture department) the charity recently funded a project to develop a more humane method for stunning pigs in commercial abattoirs. High concentrations of carbon dioxide are commonly used for stunning pigs at slaughter, but there has

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been some concern that this can cause pain and distress.

An alternative method – Low Atmospheric Pressure Stunning (LAPS) – was proposed to be more humane, but the research found that LAPS is unlikely to be a humane alternative to carbon dioxide. Whilst disappointing, this provides crucial evidence to protect the welfare of pigs at slaughter and to shift the focus of future research to find other potential improvements.

Practical and international

The HSA is dedicated to bringing practical and lasting improvements to the welfare of food animals around the world. They work with the livestock industry and animal welfare scientists globally to deliver training and advice on the welfare of animals during transport and at slaughter. They are currently working with colleagues in China, the largest consumer of meat in the world, to deliver training and advice to undergraduate students and those currently working with food animals, to improve the welfare of millions more animals.

The HSA is funded solely by donations and legacies from members and supporters. With your help, they can continue to make practical and lasting improvements to the welfare of all food animals. q

A scientific approach to animal welfare [

MOST OF US care deeply about animal welfare and want to do the right thing for animals, be it those we eat, those we experiment upon, or our much-loved pets. But simply caring about animals isn’t enough; to guarantee their welfare we also need to know what makes animals’ lives better or worse.

At the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) their vision is a world where the welfare of every animal affected by humans is maximised through a scientific understanding of their needs and how to meet them.

They strive to answer such fundamental scientific questions about animal welfare through funding innovative research as in the examples below.

Welfare impacts of rat control methods

Every year, it is estimated that millions of rats and mice are killed as ‘pests’ in the UK alone. Despite the large number of animals affected, until now very little information has been available on the welfare impacts of common control methods being used in the UK. A study, co-funded by UFAW, found that glue traps and chemical rodenticides were amongst the worst methods of rodent control in terms of animal welfare impact. The research findings provided vital evidence at an opportune moment as the Glue Traps (Offences) Bill was being debated in parliament. Subsequently the Bill has been passed and glue traps will be banned for public use in England.

Comfortable environments for laboratory mice

Traditionally, laboratory mice have been kept in barren cages and are housed at about 21ºC – but they actually prefer to be much warmer.

UFAW-funded research showed that rather than turning up the temperature, the best way to allow mice to keep warm and enliven their environment was to provide materials like shredded paper so they could build a nest.

This provided enrichment and allowed them to regulate their © Brianna Gaskill temperature just as they would in the wild. The work has improved the lives of millions of mice who are now routinely given nesting material.

These and other projects also provide invaluable PhD training for researchers around the world, demonstrating UFAW’s commitment to developing the next generation of animal welfare scientists.

The charity is also passionate about spreading the animal welfare science message. For instance, many breeds of companion animals suffer inherited conditions. UFAW compiled a database of these issues which is invaluable to professionals and pet owners alike in understanding which conditions affect which breeds – visit the website at www.ufaw.org.uk/genetics.

UFAW is funded solely by donations and legacies from members and supporters. You can support science in the service of animal welfare by donating to support their work or leaving a gift in your will. q

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They rescue animals – at home and abroad [

MAYBE YOU LOVE ANIMALS: maybe you have given a loving home to dogs or cats in need. Perhaps the suffering of animals through neglect, abuse or abandonment causes you pain. If you would like to help create a world that is kinder to all creatures, remembering Paws2Rescue in your will means you will help to alleviate the suffering of animals for years to come.

The mission Of Paws2Rescue is simple: to help animals in need wherever they are. As they are entirely staffed by volunteers, every penny they raise enables them to fulfil that mission over and over again.

Paws2Rescue’s Alison Standbridge explained: “Although we are a UK- based charity, we recognise that too many animals overseas suffer appalling neglect and cruelty. That’s why, as well as finding loving UK homes for unwanted dogs and cats, we undertake a variety of international projects to reduce the suffering of animals, with a particular focus on Romania and Moldova – countries where animals continue to suffer the most distressing abuses.

“We aim to alleviate the day-to-day misery of these unfortunate animals by meeting their basic needs – food, medical treatment and sanctuary – and by supporting shelters in rural areas where resources are desperately needed.”

But the key to truly ending the misery is to tackle its root causes. Therefore, Bobi before and after being rescued Paws2Rescue also provide free neutering programme uses purpose-made educational materials to foster services for both stray and owned animals, encouraging owners to compassion, teaching children to love and respect all living things. take responsibility for their pets’ health by preventing unwanted litters “So, although our current aim may be to help animals in need of kittens and puppies. Their Veterinary Scholarship Programme funds wherever they are, our dream is to create a world where no more young people through their university studies to encourage more local animals need our help. vets to work in rural areas in Romania where the need is greatest.

“By leaving a legacy to Paws2Rescue, no matter how small, you can Alison continued: “Education is crucial to our mission: if future rest assured every penny of your kind donation will be helping dogs, generations are brought up to hold the same antiquated, cruel attitudes cats and other animals in desperate circumstances both now and in the towards animals as many of their elders, then the horrible abuses future. Thank you.” q will continue. To break this negative cycle, our successful schools

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Review prompts regulator to make change to Preference Service [THE FUNDRAISING REGULATOR has unveiled changes to the

Fundraising Preference Service (FPS) – the tool that allows people to stop direct marketing communications from charities – strengthening the service for both charities and members of the public.

The changes have been implemented in response to an independent review of the FPS, the results of which were published in November 2020.

The evaluation found that the FPS is continuing to provide a vital backstop to support people in society who may be feeling overwhelmed by contact from charities. It also suggests that the service is an important part of the regulatory support structure that helps to maintain public trust, and ultimately strengthen fundraising.

More than 13,000 people have used the service to date – and a quarter of them are people acting on behalf of a friend or relative. The numbers show that people are accessing the service and it provides a valuable service to those who need to use it.

The review made a number of recommendations. Members of the public can now request that up to 10 charities stop sending them direct marketing in one online transaction: the previous maximum was three charities in one online transaction. It is still possible to suppress up to 20 charities at a time by contacting the FPS via telephone.

With a quarter of the 13,000 people who have used the service to date acting on behalf of a friend or relative, it is also now easier for charities to see if a suppression request has been made on behalf of someone else. That will help indicate that there is a potentially

vulnerable person involved, so that charities can ensure they deal with those requests swiftly.

Further information has also been added to the Fundraising Regulator website to help charities understand what they need to do when they receive a suppression request, and to support the public to use the FPS effectively.

In addition to the recommendations made in the evaluation, the Fundraising Regulator has introduced a way for people to submit an FPS request on behalf of someone who has died. When charities access their FPS requests, those made on behalf of a deceased person are clearly shown so that those records can be handled differently to other requests.

Alongside those measures, the regulator is working to increase awareness of the FPS, educating both members of the public and charities about its use and importance. It includes launching targeted digital marketing campaigns, working with other organisations to promote the FPS to people in vulnerable circumstances and engaging with people with a specific interest in charities and people who may be caring for a friend or relative.

The regulator’s chief executive Gerald Oppenheim commented: “The Fundraising Regulator is committed to protecting members of the public, particularly those people in vulnerable circumstances, and equipping charities with the tools they need to protect them, too. Operating the FPS is a vital means of doing this and we will continue to work with the charitable fundraising sector to make sure it can be easily accessed by anyone who might need to use it.” q

Concern for working horses’ welfare leads to charity’s campaigning role [

THE HORSE RESCUE FUND was founded at a time when many deliveries were still being carried out using horses – which at that time were destined for a bleak fate after they finished their working life.

That history explains why, as well as rescuing horses, ponies and donkeys in desperate need, the fund has campaigned for improvements at horse sales, in transit and for equine welfare generally. Indeed, they often work in conjunction with their fellow organisations on some of the largest equine welfare cases.

The charity’s byline is: Rescue, Rehabilitate, Rehome.

A spokesperson for the charity commented: “All of our rescued horses are treated as individuals and – being one of the smaller welfare charities – our staff get to know the likes, dislikes and foibles of each horse in our care, so their treatment can be personally tailored to their needs.”

After rehabilitation and when they are fit, their animals are placed on loan in private adoptive homes to lead happy, useful lives. Some have gone on to win at prestigious shows, and even appeared on television!

They continued: “We never sell them, so we are able to ensure their wellbeing for the rest of their lives; and if their loaners’ circumstances change, they can always be returned to us. Horses do so much for humans – we try to repay some of that debt; they cannot speak, but we can.”

Funds are urgently needed to continue that work: legacies, covenants, individual donations or corporate funding are all most welcome. Members receive a biannual newsletter keeping them up to date with all the happenings on the yard at Woodstock Farm in Norfolk.

For more information visit the website at www.horserescuefund.org.uk or email info@horserescuefund.org.uk. q

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Ronnie from Germany [RONNIE IS Wales Ape & Monkey Sanctuary’s youngest chimpanzee,

born on 23 July 1987 in a zoo in Germany. He grew up with his brother and, for many reasons, his brother was sent elsewhere by the zoo.

Nobody wanted poor Ronnie.

The sanctuary’s Jan Garen takes up the story: “Sometime after, we were contacted and asked if we had space to take Ronnie. On 9 June 2007 after a long but smooth journey to Germany and back, Ronnie arrived here at the sanctuary in glorious Wales.

“Ronnie was quick to make friends and has built up quite the relationship with our female chimp, Nakima. They get on like brother and sister! They

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groom each other, play together and sleep in the same bedroom.

“Ronnie is a very cheeky loveable boy who has also learnt sign language over time. He makes certain hand movements which mean different actions but can tell you to take off your coat, glasses and hat! He has people in stitches when they visit. They find Ronnie fascinating, as do we.

“Apart from his sign language, he loves eating, blowing raspberries and sunbathing. Red peppers are a firm favourite!” q • For more info call 01639 730276, email info@ape-monkey-rescue.org.uk or visit the website at www.ape-monkey-rescue.org.uk

#BeMoreDigital reverts to a physical conference [THE ANNUAL #BeMoreDigital Conference will once again take

place in June and for the first time since the March 2020 conference, it will be returning as a physical event. The 2022 conference takes place on 30 June at Novotel London West.

Tickets are now available to purchase for the conference. Prices vary depending on an organisation’s income and since the previous physical conference in 2020 there has been a price freeze on tickets to help ease everyone back into in-person events.

This year’s theme is What does #BeMoreDigital mean now?

Organisers Charity Digital explain: “Since our first conference in 2019, we’ve been encouraging charities to be more digital. But with everything that has happened since the pandemic began, and the great strides charities were making even before this, what does this actually mean now?

“All sessions throughout the day will focus on refining your digital skills and learning new ways of using technology to further your impact, to set you on the right path for the months and years to come!”

The conference takes as its start point four pillars of what it means to be more digital:

• Building new skills and refining your existing ones • Opening up new digital opportunities and learning new ways of • using technology • Recognising the progress you’ve already made and how you can • build on it • Being more digital – but no pressure!

‘More’ digital is unique to every charity. The conference will show what other charities are doing and what each one can take away and apply to their own digital journey.

For those who’ve never been to a #BeMoreDigital physical event, or who just want to get a feel for what the day will be like, Charity Digital has produced a video, which can be viewed at charitydigital.org.uk. Tickets can be purchased via the same site.

A number of COVID-19 safety measures have already been announced, with more due to be published nearer the time. They include pitching the venue and ticket capacity to allow for adequate social distancing, and offering different coloured lanyards so those attending can easily indicate how comfortable they are with social interactions. q

Giving horses and ponies the life they deserve

[

FFOREST UCHAF HORSE & PONY CENTRE – aka The Pit Pony Sanctuary – are a small group of volunteers in Wales who help all the needy horses and ponies they can with meagre resources.

“We have been a charity since 1991, but our team has been doing this work since the 1960’s,” explained the charity’s founder Roy Peckham.

“We found pit ponies still at work in the small private mines in Wales and became their salvation by creating The Pit Pony Sanctuary.

“Over the years we have taken in numerous needy horses and ponies, including some old pit ponies. Our only surviving pit pony ‘Spike’ toiled in several small mines in the Swansea Valley. Although elderly, and needing tender loving care, he is in good health now and enjoying his life at the centre.

“Help us make success stories like Spike’s. Our donors change lives, and you can, too!” q • For further information visit www.pitponies.co.uk.

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Love it or loath it, you’re on social media [

IN THE 21ST CENTURY every charity – of whatever size and whether it employs a lot of staff or relies on a team of volunteers – has some kind of social media presence and ‘an army of supporters’ promoting their cause on social media. It can be a thorny problem deciding how do you get everyone singing from the same hymn sheet – from social workers and skydivers to treasurers and trustees.

In order to address that problem – among the myriad others – a social media policy is a ‘must’ for all charities. Fortunately, help is at hand from Denise Atkins, copywriter and content designer at Charity Digital. In a ‘how-to’ guide downloadable from the forum’s website at charitydigital.org.uk she explains Why every charity needs a social media policy.

She says: “A good social media policy explains what acceptable online behaviour looks like, as well as what’s desirable. By setting some boundaries and modelling ideal behaviour, you are more likely to engage potential supporters in a positive way.”

She points out the risks of unfettered online behaviour, with social media being awash with people taking sides: “There’s always a danger that a member of staff or a volunteer might misrepresent your work or say the wrong thing and leave you tainted by association. Worse still, once something is out there it’s difficult to contain it. You can delete a post, but the damage is done. It can live on through screen shots and even raise its ugly head years down the line.”

A robust social media policy can help prevent such a scenario by setting clear boundaries. She goes on to list a few priorities to address.

• Plan for the worst: Make it clear what to do if your charity is ever embroiled in a controversy or online negativity. As with any negative PR, the best response is to have a clear route for escalation.

• Protect personal information: Your social media policy will overlap with your data protection policy and confidentiality agreements. Encourage people to shine a light on positive beneficiary stories through the proper channels.

• Inclusivity and offence: Be clear about any specific terminology to use or avoid in relation to your cause and its beneficiaries. And make it clear that you won’t tolerate any form of hate speech from your staff or volunteers.

• Keep grievances offline: Grievances should be dealt with offline and through the official channels. But take them seriously – if people don’t feel they are being heard, they may air your dirty laundry on social media.

• Have a strong brand: A clear brand purpose makes it easier for people to spread the word. If you haven’t reviewed your brand messaging recently, make sure it reflects your organisation in 2022.

• Be transparent: If someone is promoting your organisation online, it’s always a good idea to disclose any affiliations. Encourage people to be open that they work for the charity when they share endorsements.

• Protect your followers: Your social media accounts are an asset. If one member of the team is particularly prominent online, or has primary responsibility for your brand accounts, ownership can get confusing.

• Control distractions: Social media is addictive, so set expectations on acceptable social media use while people are performing roles.

• Borrow from the best: There are templates available to help you write your own policy. Hootsuite has a downloadable template, or you can try the one from CharityComms.

She goes on to explain how to best roll out the policy and ensure everyone in the organisation is aware of it. q

Until clefts are preventable, help is available worldwide [TODAY, ONE IN 700 BABIES in

the UK are born with a cleft lip and palate, the most common form of birth defect.

The impact on a child’s life as they grow is profound. It may affect not only the way they look, but also their speech, hearing and dental development. And it can leave deep psychological scars.

In the developing world, patients with clefts are frequently not operated on until later in life, if at all. As a result, they may be malnourished and unable to talk well or hear properly. Often, they will be social outcasts.

At CLEFT, our vision is of a future where clefts are preventable. Until we get there, we want to improve the lives of those born with cleft lip and palate – in the UK and in poorer countries around the world.

Join the research effort

By funding research, we continue to make headway into understanding why clefts occur and to deliver pioneering new treatments that deliver kinder, more effective and more efficient care for children with cleft lip and palate.

By supporting the development of cleft centres in low and middleincome countries we aim to give children born with clefts in these poorer countries the same opportunities available to children in the UK. Each donation takes us a step closer to reaching our goal. All gifts could have a direct impact on changing the lives of many hundreds of thousands of babies and children around the world.

Please join us and help us prevent clefts for future generations. q

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Charity carries on the work of its founder [

FOR OVER 30 YEARS the famous animal hospital known as Tiggywinkles has been working to rescue, treat and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned British wildlife. Over that time they have proved beyond doubt that most wild animal and bird casualties can be saved and returned to the wild.

Although they specialise in hedgehogs – indeed, they derive their name from St Tiggywinkles, the name of their specialist hedgehog ward, inspired by the animal character created by Beatrix Potter – their wealth of expertise in the care of a wide range of species can now be passed on to others.

In addition, their commitment to practical education plays a vital part in the conservation of wildlife. As an accredited centre, opportunities are available for students aged 16 and over to gain a City and Guildsapproved qualification via their Apprenticeship in Animal Care scheme.

Tiggywinkles was founded by Les Stocker, who sadly passed away in July 2016. In a tribute, Les was described as ‘…a steadfast ambassador, achieving his goal to turn wildlife rehabilitation into a profession’. In another he was referred to as the ‘the spiritual heart of Britain’. He was awarded an MBE by The Queen and given the title Laureate in the 1990 International Rolex Awards for Enterprise, for his work in wildlife conservation and establishing Europe’s first wildlife teaching hospital. More recently, he gained the prestigious Honorary Associateship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

The charity is happy to commemorate all who generously remember the Wildlife Hospital Trust in their will by inscribing their name on a plaque in its Remembrance Garden. Gifts are also welcome in the form of a donation or by becoming a Friend of Tiggywinkles. q

Former police horses are among those given sanctuary [SINCE 1976 Devon Horse

and Pony Sanctuary have rescued, rehabilitated and cared for many horses, ponies and donkeys – including local Dartmoor ponies. Since 1993 they have also taken in, when asked, retired police horses from the Metropolitan Police or the Avon and Somerset force. Those horses have come to the end of their working lives for one reason or another and the sanctuary provides them with a safe and ‘forever’ future.

The police don’t have the resources to look after their retired horses, so all funds to keep those animals have to be raised by supporters of Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary. They are away from the stresses of police life in a wonderful location on the edge of Dartmoor.

Every animal can give something back to help alleviate the stresses of life, so in reality helping them can also help us.

Said the sanctuary’s Chris Hills: “This amazing place provides a haven of tranquillity, and we welcome visitors who may also need a little help and support to come and enjoy time with our horses and ponies.

“Your legacy gift will help us to give the very best care and attention to our rescued horses, ponies and donkeys, both in the physical and emotional sense. We would like more people in need to spend time with these amazing animals and benefit as we and our amazing band of volunteers do every day and gain a little respite from the rigours of daily life.” q • For further information visit www.dhaps.org.uk.

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Charities Act 2022: don’t panic, the changes are mostly beneficial

Rescue centre offers a lifeline to injured wildlife

[

IN FEBRUARY the Charities Bill received Royal Assent and passed into law as the Charities Act 2022. Recommendations from the Law Commission formed the basis for the provisions of the new legislation and the Act is designed to give trustees more flexibility to manage charities effectively.

In an update, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) pointed out that the changes will not have a big impact on charities’ daily operations but simplify certain areas of regulation.

The ICAEW published a summary of the headlines and what they will mean for charities.

• Amending the charity’s governing document: most charities will • be able to amend their governing documents or Royal Charters • more easily – remaining subject to the commission and the Privy • Council’s approval in certain circumstances, such as where • changes to the charity’s objects are proposed • Access a wider range of professional advisers on the sale of land: • charities will have access to a much wider pool of professional • advisers on land disposal, and to more straightforward rules on what • advice they must receive • Using a permanent endowment more flexibly: most legal restrictions • on how charities can use permanent endowments stay in place, but • there will be more flexibility in some areas • Paying their trustees for goods in certain circumstances: trustees • will be able to be paid for goods provided to a charity in certain • circumstances, even if not expressly stated in the charity’s • governing document – currently trustees can only be paid for supply • of services • Spend funds raised by failed fundraising appeals: charities will be • able to take advantage of simpler and more proportionate rules on • failed appeals • More flexibility to make ex gratia payments: ex gratia payments are • currently subject to strict rules which will be relaxed so that certain • small payments will no longer require Charity Commission approval.

The Charity Commission has now entered into a process of implementing the legislative changes, which it describes as one of its business priorities for 2022. The gradual implementation process is expected to last until the autumn next year and involves updating Charity Commission guidance, both for trustees and for their own staff. Importantly, according to the ICAEW, the commission will provide updates when each of the provisions come into force and when revised guidance, or online services, are available to charities.

In a blog, Aarti Thakor of the Charity Commission wrote: “This is a moment for celebration. We welcome the provisions of the legislation, which originated with recommendations from the Law Commission and are primarily aimed at making life easier for trustees, helping them maximise the benefits their charity delivers. While the changes are largely technical, they are designed to make a positive, practical difference to charities, and the commission as regulator.” q

[

HESSILHEAD WILDLIFE RESCUE TRUST is situated near Beith, in North Ayrshire. It was set up as a charity in 1986, although its founders Andy and Gay had been caring for injured and orphaned wildlife since 1970, when they rescued a fox cub from a gamekeeper and his dogs. As the number of casualties increased year on year, Andy and Gay needed financial and practical help.

Once the trust was set up, new aviaries and enclosures were built. A membership scheme proved popular and many volunteers were recruited. The centre now occupies a 20-acre site, including woodland, marsh and open water. That gives a variety of release sites for its patients.

Approximately 3,500 wildlife casualties are now treated each year, with the aim of returning them to the wild. Among the many hedgehogs, foxes and familiar garden birds there are deer, otters, badgers and seals. All have been rescued and are rehabilitated. In addition, swans are treated regularly, along with buzzards, peregrines, herons and sea birds.

The centre operates a 24-hour rescue service and there are more than 60 enclosures and aviaries, a hedgehog hospital, a seal/swan unit and intensive care facility. It also offers training courses on the handling, care and treatment of wildlife casualties.

Spring and summer are especially busy, with hundreds of nestling birds being hand reared. Care is taken to rear all youngsters with minimum human contact. That prevents wild birds and mammals becoming too used to people, so giving them a good chance of survival in the wild.

Hessilhead is primarily a voluntary organisation. Its volunteers help in many ways: fundraising, building and maintenance, driving patients to the centre and daily cleaning and feeding. q

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Charity campaigns against environmental abuse [

INVESTIGATING AND CAMPAIGNING against environmental crime and abuse is the 35-year struggle of charity Environmental Investigation Agency UK. Its undercover investigations expose transnational wildlife crime – with a focus on elephants, pangolins and tigers – and forest crimes such as illegal logging and deforestation for cash crops such as palm oil. The charity works to safeguard global marine ecosystems by addressing the threats posed by plastic pollution, by catch and commercial exploitation of whales, dolphins and porpoises.

More generally, they help to reduce the impact of climate change by campaigning to eliminate powerful refrigerant greenhouse gases, exposing related illicit trade and improving energy efficiency in the coolant sector.

The findings of their investigations are used in hard-hitting reports to campaign for improved governance and more effective law enforcement – such as its latest Running Out of Time report, which examines the fast-growing role of Vietnam as a hub for illegal wildlife trade and the country's failure to respond to the crisis.

Their field experience is used to provide guidance to enforcement agencies and they form partnerships with local groups and activists to support their work through hands-on training.

The scale of the problems they face can be disheartening and the truths they uncover can be shocking. Their programmes of work build on decades of campaign successes and nail-biting undercover investigations by a small group of tenacious activists, from documenting

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the slaughter of pilot whales in the Faroe Islands, to securing a global ivory trade ban at CITES, contributing to the Montreal Protocol on climate change and the adoption of the EU Timber Regulation to protect forests.

A gift to EIA in your will is an investment in wildlife and habitat conservation. They have already achieved so much, with your help they will continue to keep the pressure on for generations to come. q • For further information tel 0207 354 7960 or visit the website at eia-international.org

Inflation impacts on charities in many ways [CHARITIES ARE LIKELY to face both new financial challenges

and increased demands to support people as inflation in the UK hits its highest level for 40 years. That is the warning from a coalition of charity support bodies.

According to data from the Office for Gas and Electricity Markets, higher energy prices means that an average household will now be faced with an increase in gas and electricity bills of almost £60 a month.

Earlier this year, the government announced that it would raise benefits by 3.1% from April.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies said that this represents ‘big real terms cuts to the living standards of many of the poorest households’.

Alison Taylor, CEO of bank and charity services at the Charities Aid Foundation, said: “Charities are impacted by rapidly rising inflation on many fronts. Many more people in their communities are likely to rely on their support, with 71% of charity leaders worried about managing an increase in demand on their services.

“Tightening household budgets are impacting donations, with 14% of people planning to cut back on donations to cover their bills; and in addition, inflation means that donations are not going as far as they used to in real terms. After two years supporting their communities throughout the pandemic, when many had to rely on their reserves, charities are also having to find the funds to pay higher costs, including rent, food and fuel.”

Her fears were echoed by Dan Corry, chief executive of New Philanthropy Capital. “The people charities work with are going to be feeling much poorer and very anxious as a result of this steep rise in the

cost of living,” he commented. “Many will indeed be much poorer, as they spend more of their income on food and energy where prices are rising fastest.

“The government has not yet done much to help families get through, especially those reliant on benefits. So more people will need the help charities provide; yet charities will find it harder to support them as inflation increases their own costs and erodes the value of reserves and pre-pledged donations.”

He said charities ‘must start planning now’.

“Inflation reduces the real value of everything,” he said, “so if you don’t increase spending you are cutting the good you can do.

But this is very hard to do when your donors will also be feeling squeezed and commissioners are very unlikely to pay more to cover those extra costs. It’s what makes inflation a uniquely pernicious problem for charities.

“Funders will therefore need to rethink their strategies. Many will have hoped to replenish their coffers after paying out more than usual through the pandemic. But with returns on endowments having done pretty well despite COVID-19, is now really the time to do so?”

Alison Taylor added: “Building financial resilience – a cornerstone of pandemic survival – will remain a priority, including expanding and diversifying the ways in which income is generated. Charities should make every effort to remind UK taxpayers about the value and vital importance of declaring Gift Aid, which effectively adds 25% to every donation, and make full use of any opportunities for unrestricted funding.” q

Legacies provide a lifeline at Oak Tree

[LEGACIES ARE VITAL to the animals of Oak Tree Animals’ Charity:

they would not have been able to move to their current home at Oak Tree Farm, Carlisle in 1982 without generous gifts through wills. All donations, regardless of size, provide a lifeline to the animals at Oak Tree. More than half of the work carried out there is paid for by legacy gifts, and they couldn’t help the number of animals they do without them.

Choosing to leave a gift in a will is an exceptionally personal way to help. One supporter who chose to leave a legacy to Oak Tree explained her decision: “My lifelong love for animals and the knowledge that my gift will help support and rehome unwanted animals at Oak Tree Animals' Charity in the future gives me a great sense of happiness. I wish more people would support animal charities like Oak Tree and be part of their incredible work. I want to help Oak Tree Animals' Charity continue its wonderful work for many years to come. It is comforting knowing that I will still be able to support animals long after I am gone.”

To find out more about Oak Tree Animals’ Charity, or to enquire about leaving a gift in your will, visit www.oaktreeanimals.org.uk or email fundraising@oaktreeanimals.org.uk. q

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Their project is to reintroduce foxes to the wild [

IT WOULD BE TEMPTING to try to explain all that is The Fox Project, but that would look a little like a shopping list: wildlife information bureau, humane fox deterrence consultancy, wildlife ambulance service, wildlife hospital etc.

Instead, it would be more straightforward to concentrate on what’s going on right now, as we are midway through the annual cub season and with more than 200 fox cubs presently in our care and a further 100 expected before the season is over. How does that work?

Wynn was one of the first cubs the project received in 2021. He is pictured gazing thoughtfully out of his pen at the setting sun, perhaps quietly wondering how he can get out into the big, wide world and do what he wants, rather than what we want.

Founder of The Fox Project Trevor Williams takes up the story: “Wynn was picked up next to a dead sibling by a passing dog walker and we assumed they had crawled out of the den in search of a mother that, for whatever reason, had failed to return. He was a keen bottle feeder, and because baby animals need the company and warmth of others, he was grouped with Wendell, Wilfred, Calvin and Bertie.

“Cubs grow fast and a brooder will only hold them for so long before their accommodation needs to be upgraded to steel vet cages. And they, too, are soon inadequate for curious, active youngsters who are developing speed and agility – albeit wobbly speed and agility!

“The next step was day release in a two-storey chicken run and back in the warm at night for a bedtime bottle and a bowl of dog food. They loved that! And then they were moved to a larger foster pen, where muscles could develop and they could feel the weather.

“As soon as Wynn and Co were weaned off the bottle, the bond with their feeder was broken and they were transferred to one of our team of fosterers. These volunteers have pens in their gardens where they can look after the needs of a litter of cubs without getting directly involved with them.

“And that is where the serious work begins in encouraging cubs to revert to wild in preparation for late summer release. Given all the changes, our cubs should be growing suspicious of people in general; and their first instinct when a fosterer approaches is to run into the hutch provided. If they begin to get ‘waggy’ with the fosterer, we move them to another. And we keep doing that right through the summer.

“From mid-June, we start to move them onto pre-arranged rehab sites – no more than five cubs per site. Those are predominantly rural: often farms and smallholdings.”

The cubs are now the responsibility of the rehabber that owns the property. Their job is to feed, water and clean out the pen and never to speak. A cautious cub is a cub that will live the longest: if you’ve made a cub tame, you’ve undermined their potential for a safe and long life.

After four to six weeks on site the cubs are used to the sights, sounds and smells of every other animal in the area and vice versa. That means they can safely be released without danger of attack. Come the night of release, the rehabber simply leaves the door open and walks away.

Trevor continued: “Timing for this final part of the procedure is governed by nature.

Just as the breeding season fluctuates a little every year, so does natural dispersal, when wild-raised cubs – by now around five months old – will fan out from their home territory to locate their own: a vital process to avoid in-breeding and necessary if they’re ultimately to find a mate. Release of our cubs is timed to coincide with that point.”

Wynn and his chums were released from a smallholding in East Sussex. Initially, they all returned for support feeding, but it’s seldom needed for long. As they begin to use the instincts nature provided them with, the cubs return less and less frequently.

“When they no longer return,” said Trevor, “we must hope they’re doing well.

And we generally know they are, because we often see them around for months, or even years. Not that it’s any of our business.

We’ve given them that all-important second chance and whatever befalls them, good or bad, is down to them.” q

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The dream continues to offer sanctuary to abandoned animals [

THE YEAR IS 1983 and it is the coldest winter for 20 years. Many stories about horses and ponies being abandoned by their owners on Rainham Marshes in Essex were hitting the headlines.

Paula Clark, who was involved in raising money for a number of sanctuaries, was sitting at home in tears after reading the story of those poor horses. When her husband Ernie returned home from work, Paula showed him what was happening and they vowed to take action and help the animals that needed them.

Some of the horses were already dead and others were starving when the couple got to the marshes. They weren’t having their basic needs met; they had no water or food. Paula and Ernie took tanks of water to them and bales of hay and feed. They even got a vet to examine some of them. No-one was looking after the horses’ basic needs – let alone enriching their lives.

Paula and Ernie embarked on fulfilling their dream and the story of Hopefield Animal Sanctuary began. They began taking horses with the intention of fostering. They would bring them back to health and then find them nice homes.

The first horse they fostered out was Pye. Soon after they heard that the fosterers were trying to sell him, so Ernie took them to court at a cost of £4,000. Ernie finally got Pye back in a terrible state, so both Paula and Ernie promised they would never rehome again – the animals had a home for life.

As Paula and Ernie found fostering animals didn’t work out they decided to provide homes for life to their animals. One beneficiary is Juliette, a thoroughbred horse who arrived in a terrible condition.

Because of her home for life at Hopefield, and the daily care and attention she receives, she is now physically transformed.

Paula and Ernie have both now sadly passed away. Since their passing the work has been taken over by new trustees and a dedicated team of staff and volunteers look after the resident animals, old and new. Many animals arrive in a terrible condition and are completely transformed by living at the sanctuary.

The sanctuary has now been running for 35 years – it has over 50 regular volunteers, a huge amount of local and loyal support and over 20,000 followers on Facebook.

CEO Dave Schlaich explained: “We have continued to rescue horses and farm animals, but have found that over the years the type of animals we are having to help has greatly changed, with people getting more and more into exotic species through the pet trade.”

The sanctuary is now open the public from Friday to Monday each week. It has become a visitor attraction with a small tea room. All activities generate funds that go directly to the animals, making the future more secure.

Said David: “You can support us by becoming a regular donor, visit us, sponsor an animal or leave us a legacy in your will, knowing that your donation goes towards providing a home for life for one of our animals.” q

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CIoF takes over #GivingTuesday reins [

IN MARCH the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIoF) announced that from this year it will be running the #GivingTuesday campaign here in the UK. #GivingTuesday is a day of global giving that started in 2012 in the USA as a movement to inspire generosity.

It has now become a global movement run in over 60 countries that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate giving in all its forms.

In each country, one organisation – a global leader – runs and supports the #GivingTuesday campaign. Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has been the global leader for the UK for the past seven years. They have worked closely with the main Giving Tuesday organisation – based in the United States – which co-ordinates and supports the campaign around the world. CAF has now handed over the reins for running #GivingTuesday in the UK to the Chartered Institute of Fundraising. #GivingTuesday has grown to be one of the most prominent single days of giving in the UK – a campaign which any organisation can use and personalise to work for them and their cause.

Last year over £20m was raised for good causes in the UK on #GivingTuesday, with over 360 million impressions on Twitter, and support from celebrities such as Stephen Fry and the Duchess of Cornwall. Over 4,000 partners have signed up to support and promote the campaign.

The #GivingTuesday campaign is centred on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, which this year will be 29 November.

Organisations can sign up to be a #GivingTuesday partner and hear more about the campaign at www.givingtuesday.org.uk.

The Chartered Institute of Fundraising’s chief executive Katie

Docherty said: “I am absolutely thrilled that CIoF has the opportunity to deliver the fantastic #GivingTuesday campaign in the UK. Over the last few years it has become such an important part of the fundraising calendar and one that many smaller charities and organisations are able to hook onto to reach out to supporters and the public.

“I’m looking forward to working with our members all across the UK and partners from all sectors, as well as collaborating with #GivingTuesday leaders across the world, to promote and celebrate this day of generosity that inspires millions of pounds for good causes.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to the team at CAF who have run this campaign so successfully. They have built up #GivingTuesday here from a standing start and it’s a great testament to their commitment to the sector that they are now handing over a multimillion-pound campaign with thousands of partners signed up. I look forward to the CIoF continuing their good work and building on this success for 2022 and beyond.”

Alison Taylor, CEO of Charities Aid Foundation’s charity services and CAF Bank, said: “CAF will continue to be an enthusiastic supporter of the global day of giving and we’re excited for the plans that the CIoF have in store. The strength of #GivingTuesday comes from the grassroots charity campaigners all over the UK, who will be perfectly represented by the team at CIoF. “It continues to inspire us that a campaign which began on social media now inspires millions of people across the world to come together to celebrate the charities and communities that mean so much to us all.” q

Re-homing is their mission [THE MISSION of Three Counties Dog Rescue is to accept, care for

and find homes for unwanted, lost and stray dogs and cats and to ensure their wellbeing afterwards. The charity was founded in 1971 and since then they have improved the lives of 7,500 dogs and cats.

Before rehoming, all animals are vet checked, neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and kept in suitable conditions. Rehabilitation costs are a major part of the charity’s annual expenditure of over £200,000.

Healthy animals are never put down. As part of that non-destruction policy, several elderly dogs are kept in long term foster care. However, this means that the charity can incur large veterinary costs to maintain a dog’s health while they await a new permanent home. They now provide boarding and cremation services with profits supporting the Rescue.

Every penny raised goes to improving the lives of dogs and cats. Three Counties Dog Rescue is run entirely by voluntary and unpaid helpers, who also meet their own expenses. q

Caring for chelonia [THE BRITISH CHELONIA GROUP publishes six newsletters

a year containing details of meetings, short articles, news items and veterinary notes. Their journal Testudo is published annually and contains original articles and reviews on all aspects of turtles, terrapins and tortoises – their biology, conservation, welfare, veterinary care and husbandry. The group also organises symposia.

As well as the yearly appeals in aid of specific international causes in chelonia research and survival, the BCG assists other worthy causes in support of its aims with grants. They invite grant applications from organisations and individuals engaged on the work of chelonia conservation – such as zoos, universities, zoologists and students in this country and overseas. q

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Charity Awards take their place in the diary [IN A PACKED MONTH for charity sector

events, the 2022 Charity Awards are set to take place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on 16 June. The awards will recognise those charities that are innovative, exemplify best practices, and deliver sustainable benefit to communities and society in general.

The Charity Awards is Civil Society Media’s annual awards programme held to identify, recognise and reward those organisations doing exceptional work in all areas of charitable activity.

The awards process is a year-round programme that uses Civil Society Media’s portfolio of magazines, reports, events and websites to celebrate and highlight best practice across the sector. They are judged by a respected panel of voluntary sector heavyweights, each of them leaders in their own fields with years of experience of leading and managing civil society organisations. The judges assess each entry against Hallmarks of Excellence – attributes that should be present in any successful project.

Awards are given out in 10 categories and an overall winner is chosen from the winners in each category. They have been designed so that any charity – regardless of their size, location or cause – can enter their project and be in with a chance of winning.

One past winner, Chloe Rickard of Cool Earth, enthused: “The best bit for me was filling in the Hallmarks of Excellence – attributes that show your organisation is up there with the best. It wasn’t easy to write, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve dipped back into the application since applying, because the stuff I wrote about how we display these attributes is proving indispensable for Charity of the Year applications, web copy and annual reports.”

John Low, chief executive of sponsors the Charities Aid Foundation, added: “The Charity Awards are always a real high point of the year – an opportunity to recognise and praise the huge achievements of our colleagues working at the front line. We at the Charities

Aid Foundation are delighted to sponsor the Charity Awards and believe it has never been more important to share the stories of our fellow charities.”

The awards’ partner is CCLA Investment Management, whose chief executive Peter Hugh Smith commented: “As we emerge ever so tentatively out of the pandemic, there has never been a more fitting time to recognise and honour the endeavours and achievements of charities across the country. These awards celebrate all that is great about the sector – its impact, innovation, resilience, passion and determination – and CCLA is privileged to be able to extend its support for charities through this partnership with Civil Society Media.” q

Trust works to save iconic working horses [

THE SUFFOLK PUNCH TRUST is a registered charity, whose aim is to ensure the survival of the famous horse breed. It was founded in 2002 to save the historic Hollesley Bay Colony Stud.

That stud brought a rich legacy of equine and agricultural history which deserves to be saved for future generations to enjoy. The trust aims to achieve that through a successful breeding programme, supported by funding, education and the outreach facility of its visitor centre.

The Suffolk Punch is the oldest English breed of working horse, dating from the 16th century. Every Suffolk horse can be traced back to a stallion, known as Crisp’s Horse of Ufford, foaled in 1768. The Suffolk horse was developed for farm work and gained popularity during the early 20th century. As agriculture became mechanised, however, the numbers fell and the breed almost disappeared completely.

The aim of the trust is to help save the iconic breed from extinction through its established breeding programme. It is working towards increasing the numbers of horses through normal breeding processes and an artificial insemination programme.

It also works to raise public awareness and is training a new generation of professionals to work with and understand the needs of the breed. The Suffolk Punch is incredibly versatile and is now often employed in forestry and ridden work.

The Suffolk Punch Trust can only continue its work with the help of donations and legacies. As David Clarke, one of the trust’s directors, explained: “Your legacy, large or small, will make a huge difference to the work we carry out, enabling us to care for our horses and continue the breeding programme to secure this wonderful breed.” q

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The range of charities which depend on legacies to carry out their valuable work is a broad one. Those that are represented in this publication are listed below, grouped according to the area of activity in which they operate.

ANIMAL WELFARE

INDEX

MEDICAL RESEARCH

Friends of the Animals 4/5

Prostate Cancer Research 1

Last Chance Animal Rescue 6

Cancer Prevention Research Trust 2

Wild Futures 6

Pain Relief Foundation 8

Shire Horse Society 9

Royal College of Surgeons of England 7

Catholic Concern for Animals 10

The National Brain Appeal 12/13

Heartbeat Home for Horses 16

Against Breast Cancer 14

Hope Rescue 16

CLEFT 27

The Suffolk Owl Sanctuary 18

Caring Cancer Trust 28/29

The New European Distressed Donkey Initiative Ltd 18

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Pet Rescue Welfare Association 19 Humane Slaughter Association 20 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare 21 Paws2Rescue 22 The Horse Rescue Fund 23 Wales Ape & Monkey Sanctuary 24 The Pit Pony Sanctuary 25 Tiggywinkles 30

CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE Kidney Kids Scotland 10 Hypo Hounds 11 Youth Cancer Trust 11

The Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary 30 Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue 31 Environmental Investigation Agency 32 Oak Tree Animals’ Charity 33 The Fox Project 34/35 Hopefield Animal Sanctuary 36 Three Counties Dog Rescue 37 British Chelonia Group 37

HEALTH & DISABILITY Blood Pressure UK 2 The Partially Sighted Society 8 National Federation of the Blind of the United Kingdom 17 The Respite Association 26

The Suffolk Punch Trust 38

OVERSEAS AID ZANE: Zimbabwe A National Emergency 15

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