EASTBOURNE ANIMAL LOVER RECOGNISED WITH NATIONAL HONOUR
An East Sussex woman who has dedicated more than 20 years to helping sick, injured or orphaned animals - despite her own ill health in latter years - has been recognised with a national honour.
Monica Russell, of Eastbourne, has been given a British Citizen Award for his services to volunteering and charitable giving.
The British Citizen Awards (BCAs) were launched in January this year to honour the incredible accomplishments of individuals in society who positively impact their communities. BCAs are awarded twice annually, and recognise ‘everyday’ people whose achievements may otherwise be overlooked.
Monica is an outstanding, passionate and dedicated animal lover who has helped more than 5,000 people through the years who have found sick, injured and especially orphaned animals. From 2012 until 2014, she has done this whilst being treated for an illness which was later sadly diagnosed as a rare and incurable form of bile duct cancer.
Monica became involved in wildlife recue after a chance encounter with a hedgehog she found one weekend. She took it to a local veterinarian, who said he would have to put it down unless Monica wanted to look after it herself.
Surprised at the response, Monica’s animal rescue career began. She soon became involved with Tunbridge Wells charity, the Folly Wildlife Rescue Trust. She continued her voluntary work at East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) upon moving to Hailsham in 2004, as a charitable member, a trustee, a senior carer and a rescuer.
Often going above and beyond the call of duty, she has cared for sick and orphaned wildlife day and night – sometimes having to get up hourly to feed baby hedgehogs, fox cubs and stoats to name but a few. All this has been done alongside holding down full and part-time jobs.
Monica became ill in 2012, and was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer, in 2014 – of those diagnosed with this rare form of cancer, only five per cent survive for more than 12 months. Monica was forced to give up the practical care side of her voluntary work at the end of 2014 due to her deteriorating health, and continues to have chemotherapy to date to improve her quality of life, but continues in her role as a voluntary trustee.
Monica is one of 30 medalists who will be honoured at a prestigious ceremony on July 9, at the Palace of Westminster. All BCA recipients have positively impacted society undertaking various activities in support of a number of causes. Each will receive a Medal of Honour, inscribed with the words ‘For the Good of the Country’. Medalists are also invited to use the initials BCA after their name.
Speaking about her nomination, Monica said: “It was a total surprise to be told about the British Citizen Award. I have loved every minute of my voluntary work, and would have happily done it as a full time job if I could have. I see it as a way of giving something back to the environment that we take so much from.”
The awards are supported by one of UK’s largest property management companies, Places for People, palletised freight company, Pall-Ex and leading ethical law firm Irwin Mitchell, who each had representatives taking part in the assessment day and will be presenting the awards in July.
Monica, aged 67, was nominated for a BCA by her friends and former charitable colleagues, Trevor Weeks MBE and Annette Risley.
Mr Weeks, who founded East Sussex WRAS, said: “Monica’s passion and dedication to helping people who find sick, injured and orphaned animals has been outstanding and we as a community would like to honour her and say a huge thank you for all she has done.
“Monica has been a reassuring beacon of hope for those animals and people who breathe a sigh of relief knowing she is was on her way or there to help. She has given so much of her time, and money, to help prevent the suffering of others. She has gone way beyond what the majority of people would do to help save the lives of local wildlife found by the local public.
“Despite being ill since 2012, Monica has pushed on, helping local charities, the public and animals which have needed her care.”
***ENDS***
For more information please contact Gemma Bryan, Account Executive at Lime PR on 07715 091695
Notes to Editors
The British Citizen Awards recognise individuals that positively impact others and highlights the positive aspects of multi-cultural communities, workplaces, community groups and charities throughout the UK. It is accessible to all and serves to celebrate the good things that make Britain great.
There is no fee for making a nomination. Nominees who are granted a BCA will be invited to attend the Presentation Day at the Palace of Westminster. Presentations are held twice annually in January and July.
The full list of categories for the British Citizen Awards are:
BCAc for Service to Community
BCAi for Service to Industry
BCAa for Service to Arts
BCAe for Services to Education
BCAh for services to Healthcare
BCAb for Service to Business
BCAv for Volunteering & Charitable Giving
BCAo for International Achievement
British Citizen Awards’ national media partner is the i newspaper.
BCA is sponsored by one of UK’s largest property management companies, Places for People; leading palletised freight distribution network, Pall-Ex; and leading ethical law firm Irwin Mitchell.
BCA founding supporters include medal manufacturer, Bigbury Mint; Places for People; Pall-Ex and Church House Conference Centre.
Share this!
