Trio of new volunteers join Team Surrey

Team Surrey has recently welcomed three new volunteers to help with rehoming efforts in the area.

Camilla Raynam and Sally de la Bedoyere are our new joint co-ordinators and Sally 2 is our new rehoming assistant.

We asked them to share with us why they wanted to volunteer and their experience so far…

Camilla, a doctor, said, “Joining BHWT has been one of my best decisions, helping give the hens a fresh start and a happy retirement is so rewarding.

“It is hard work but an honour to do it with the Surrey team members who are all so committed – no challenge stops us! I look forward to many more years supporting this great cause! Everyone needs hens in their lives!”

Sally, who is the former CEO of the Blue Cross charity and currently Chair of Southwest Wildlife Fundraising Ltd, said, “I am a keen supporter of animal welfare and have always had a soft spot for chickens, particularly the plight of commercially farmed ones. I started rehoming them about 12 years ago and love their personality quirks and fresh eggs.

“I joined the BHWT as joint volunteer coordinator in April and have really enjoyed being hands on as a volunteer. The- homing day is always very rewarding especially meeting the adopters and working with some terrific volunteers.

“Catching some naughty escapees remains a highlight!”

Sally 2, a judge, said, “I had adopted many hens from the BHWT over the years and, after a break since 2015, wanted to adopt some more. As I move slowly toward semi-retirement and retirement, I was looking for volunteer work and BHWT is appealing on many levels: outdoor work with animals, in a team and for a wonderful cause.

“I have only just started with one rehoming day in Guildford which was terrific fun in early May. I brought home four hens, three I'd ordered and a 'lucky'.

Frida (Kahlo), Martha (Gelhorn), Amelia (Earhart) and Emmeline (Pankhurst) have settled beautifully: decimating my garden and coexisting cheerfully with my cats.”

If you’d like to volunteer, we have lots of vacancies, particularly for drivers and new host sites, around the UK. Find out if you could make a difference in your area: bhwt.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/