Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

British Hen Welfare Trust beats 45,000 nominations to win Charity of the Year
The BHWT team collecting their award in London.

The charity is recognised for its outstanding commitment to hen welfare

British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) has won the JustGiving Charity of the Year award at a ceremony in London on 20 November 2018.

The charity, which was established in 2005 by Jane Howorth MBE, positively campaigns to improve welfare standards for laying hens and to educate the public about ‘hidden’ caged egg products in processed foods.

BHWT also work hard to rehome hens at the end of their commercial laying lives. In the UK, approximately 16 million hens are kept in colony cages. To date, the charity has rehomed over 670,000 caged hens; all of which would have been destined for slaughter.

Howorth commented on her charity: “This is all in the name of hen welfare. To say we are re-homing 68,000 hens this year alone may sound monumental but, for me, it’s about the individual hens. That’s 68,000 little lives saved, and those girls are going to raise so much awareness to improve life for all the hens left behind.”

The prize, however, came as a great surprise to Howorth and her team: “Nobody’s jaw dropped further than mine when our name was read out as winner of the Charity of the Year award. To be recognised by the UK’s biggest fundraising platform, and to have received so many nominations from the public, is awesome in the truest sense of the word. It’s a testament to our staff, volunteers and supporters that we are achieving such greatness.”

JustGiving general manager, Keith Williams, said: “We are delighted and honoured to announce the British Hen Welfare Trust as the JustGiving Charity of the Year… The Awards not only symbolise the hope, courage and determination of the human spirit in the face of adversity; it also shows how technology is able to empower people to change the world by supporting the causes they care about.”

Find out how you can support hen welfare at: https://www.bhwt.org.uk/

Image © British Hen Welfare Trust

 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.