A little creativity, a lot of effort and loads of heart – meet the brilliant supporters who’ve been raising funds (and smiles) for the BHWT recently.
Rachel runs the Royal Parks
North Yorkshire midwife Rachel Clark ran the Royal Parks Half Marathon in October. A long-time hen lover who’s rehomed more than 20 birds through the charity, Rachel said she ran to “give a little something back.” Although she’s been a recreational runner for 15 years, this was her first major solo fundraiser – and she absolutely smashed it. “Hens are smart, curious and full of personality,” she said. “Once you’ve had them as pets, you realise how special they are.” And she raised £635 for the BHWT – trust a midwife to deliver.
Sharon hits the road
Longstanding volunteer and charity Trustee Sharon Eversfield has completed an incredible cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats, raising more than £2,300 for the BHWT. The 900-mile journey took her the full length of Britain, with supporters cheering her on at every stage. “It was my greatest physical achievement,” Sharon said. “At the end of each tough day, the messages and donations kept me going.” With over 100 hens rehomed since 2007 and many years of service on the Cheshire rehoming team, Sharon knows a thing or two about going the distance.
Kelly’s classic cars and tombola triumph
BHWT supporter Kelly has been a very busy bee raising funds in all manner of creative ways – from craft fairs and garden centre tombolas to classic car meets and selling pre-loved items on Vinted. Over the past few months, she’s collected £190, with more events planned before Christmas. “Classic car owners don’t like getting their cars wet,” she joked after one soggy summer meet, “but we still had a nice morning.” A huge thank you to Kelly for her ongoing energy and (yes) drive.
James’s glow-in-the-dark bake off
At just 11 years old, James McCarrick has already shown what a passionate hen advocate he is. Not only does he care for four rehomed hens at home, he also raised £141 for the BHWT with a brilliant school stall – selling chocolate crispy nests and glow-in-the-dark chicks. He even created a powerful campaign poster, complete with a mini hen in a pipe-cleaner cage, to teach his schoolmates about battery farming. James said he wanted to raise money for BHWT – and that’s exactly what he did. Talk about a class act.
Helen, Marie and mum have the punters shelling out
Huge thanks also to Helen Moss, her mum, and Marie Wilson, who raised £83.57 for the BHWT by running a brilliant stall at a recent event. Visitors could pick up hen-themed goodies – including some rather snazzy knitted egg cosies, pictured – in return for a small donation, and try their luck at guessing the weight of an egg. An egg laid, adorably, by a hen called Biscuit. The team chatted to dozens of curious passers-by about the joys of adopting hens, and we fondly hope a few new rehomers were inspired on the day. Cracking stuff.
Prime pumpkins
Elizabeth Pedder successfully grew 14 pumpkins from just five little seeds and, owing to her bumper crop, decided she couldn’t make that much soup so put some outside her house and asked for donations. All 14 went within two days and Elizabeth made £25 in the process, along with some help from her daughter-in-law who made the lovely signs to accompany them. Happy Halloween indeed!
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