Nominations for the RSPCA Honours Awards are now open and former winner John Bishop is urging people to nominate their animal champions.
The animal welfare charity alongside supporter John Bishop is asking members of the public to share their stories about animal champions and nominate a standout character friend, colleague, loved one or pet.
If you know someone who has worked tirelessly to improve animal welfare, campaigned on behalf of animals or shown true bravery, you can nominate them for an RSPCA Honours award.
Sharing a heart-warming, empowering or traumatic story which highlights how someone has made a real difference for animals will mean these individuals will receive the thanks and celebration they deserve at an awards ceremony in London in June.
Last year thirteen awards were given out on the night including to comedian John Bishop, who was awarded Celebrity Animal Champion of the Year and thanked RSPCA via a video message.
In his video message, John talked about his extensive collection of rescue animals including dogs, chickens, sheep, horses and alpacas, as well as a pig called Milo, adopted from the RSPCA Block Fen Animal Centre and two RSPCA turkeys, Ingrid and Bernard.
John said: “It was great to receive the Celebrity Animal Champion of the Year award from the RSPCA last year. Animals are an important part of my life and we have lots of rescue pets at home, including our lovely turkeys.
“Animals give you double the love you give them and that’s why I think people should rescue an animal. There is loads of them out there and they are just waiting for you. The RSPCA Honours is an inspiring night showcasing some great animal lovers and amazing animals. It is an opportunity to recognise those people and organisations that help to make the lives of animals better through kindness, courage and determination.”
The Queen Victoria Gold Award was presented to Eric and Edna Grover, who have been branch managers at RSPCA North West Kent for 50 years. Elgin, an assistance dog trained by Canine Partners who regularly saves his owner’s life was also given an Animal Award in recognition of his work.
Libby Cantwell, a 11-year old fundraiser who spent last year climbing mountains and taking on bike rides to raise over £1,000 for the RSPCA and TV personality and scientist John Bradshaw, were among those to receive an RSPCA Honours award.
If you want to nominate someone, you can visit www.rspca.org.uk/honours.
Nominations close Friday 15 March at 4pm.
