A marathon man, an epic hike, a baker and a potter – meet the brilliant supporters who’ve been raising funds (and smiles) for the BHWT this summer…
Neil is anything but chicken
Meet Neil, one of our courageous contenders taking on the 2027 London Marathon for the British Hen Welfare Trust.
Neil developed serious kidney problems after suffering a deep vein thrombosis at just 17 and was warned against strenuous exercise. His characteristically rebellious response? Start running.
Since then, he has completed six half-marathons — and undergone a kidney transplant, receiving a kidney donated by his partner and fellow hen lover, Kate. Now he is preparing to tackle his first full London Marathon.
The couple have rehomed 18 hens since 2022, complete with matching chicken tattoos and a particularly cuddly hen called Marina Raskova, otherwise known as the “Red Heneral”.
“The marathon is going to be incredibly tough, but the hens are a brilliant motivation,” says Neil. “I want to do something meaningful for the charity that brought them, and the happiness that follows, into our lives.”
Please support Neil’s brave marathon challenge and help him go the extra 26.2 miles for hens.
Elizabeth is making serious bread
Egg Clubber Elizabeth has discovered a delicious new way to raise dough for hens — quite literally.
Elizabeth’s partner already takes eggs from their girls into work, where his colleagues make a small donation in return. But when they heard she had started learning to bake sourdough, they wanted a slice of the action.
“I never thought they would want me to make them sourdough bread too!” says Elizabeth. “I am still learning, but they are happy to donate for the bread as well as the eggs. This means more donations for Egg Club. And lots of practice for me making the sourdough!”
Talk about using your loaf.
Sonia goes the distance
Last month, we introduced Sonia Watters and her son Jack as they prepared to tackle the 30-mile Exmoor Perambulation for the BHWT. We’re delighted to report they nailed it – although Exmoor made them earn every mile.
The route served up brutal climbs, waterlogged bogs, scorching roads and spectacular views stretching for miles. Then, with four miles remaining, Sonia pulled a muscle in her leg. Giving up, however, was never part of the plan.
Jack kept her chatting and encouraged her onwards, and the pair maintained their target pace all the way to the finish.
For Sonia, the greatest highlight was sharing the experience with her grown-up son. “As your children get older, times like that are very special and precious,” she says. “To do something so intense and so great with him was a true highlight.”
Sonia and Jack have now raised over £600 (of a £700 target) for the BHWT – and their fundraiser remains open. After 30 miles of hills, bogs and sheer determination, let’s help them cross one more finish line.
Jennifer is potty for hens
Talented potter Jennifer Bamford has found a wonderfully creative way to clear some cupboard space while helping hens at the same time.
Jennifer has been ‘throwing’ for around a year, purely for fun, but admits her home is filling up fast. And her friends and family may already have reached “saturation point” when it comes to receiving random ceramics.
So Jennifer and her mum, Ina-Maria, hatched a cunning plan. Her colourful pots, bowls and other one-of-a-kind creations will now be displayed at the family’s Grove Farm Barns Airbnb near Winscombe, where guests can take home a favourite in exchange for a donation to the BHWT.
“I don’t have a particular pottery style,” says Jennifer. “I make whatever the wheel chooses to give me on that day! Some pieces are truly random or not practical, but hopefully someone will find them beautiful.”
Ina-Maria has rehomed ex-commercial hens over the years, while Jennifer hopes that she and her husband Chris will one day have a flock to call their own.
Until then, she’ll keep turning clay into cash for hens. What a cracking idea.
