I HAVE always admired animal welfare/rights groups as dedicated heroes and heroines, which is why it came as a shock to hear that Compassion in World Farming had awarded Prince Philip and Prince Charles awards for their organic/conservation work.
Am I missing something here? It's just that these two men have killed animals merely for recreation, so why would any animal welfare group reward them for doing what amounts to very little in the scheme of things.
My own small band of right-thinking folk do far more than any royal or celebrity, but are never honoured for their work, so why some privileged royals?
This is why I came up with the idea of giving my own award, on behalf of North Wales Animal Rights, to a real hero, someone who has dedicated their whole life to saving animals from abuse.
Then, as luck would have it, I got talking to a colleague from down South who runs her own campaign magazine and heard about a lady called Jane who gives up all of her time in the service of animals.
Not only does this selfless lady make weekly visits to Dover to protest against the largely forgotten live export trade, but also spends many nights rescuing stray cats and getting them spayed or neutered.
And if that’s not enough, puts herself through hell operating undercover at markets to get evidence of animal abuse.
So who could possibly be more deserving of an award than this brave lady?
Artist Jean Bennington and me with painting. Due to Jane's undercover work, she cannot be pictured with her award
All I needed now was an award to give. I went on websites, but nothing inspired me. Then I remembered my good friend Jean Bennington, a talented artist who had recently painted a lovely picture of two pigs peering over a gate.
In the blink of an eye Jean agreed to let it go. All I needed to do now was get it framed and include a scripted message on the border.
The hard bit though was packing the A2 size picture to be sent down to Sussex, without the glass being smashed on route. I have to say Bob my husband did a first class job because it arrived at its destination intact.
Hugletts Wood Farm received the painting just in time for an open day event where Jane was expected to help out. And so Jane received her award, presented to her by the head of the International Society for Cow Protection.
Standing by her side for the photo shoot was Dickie, the calf that Jane rescued from a market. I just wish I could show you the picture of all three, but for the sake of the animals, Jane cannot afford to be identified. All in all the event was a great success.
But at the end of the day, the only thanks any of us in the cause really asks, is that our message is heard so that we can bring about change for the better.
The only thing Jane wants from you, is that you take the trouble to listen to the cries of help from the animals and act accordingly.
