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Trainer launches crowdfunder to help horses rescued from Ukraine
Kelleway has been on a mission to deliver goods and medical aid to horses affected by the devastating conflict.
The appeal aims to raise £40,000 to help equines on the Poland-Ukraine border.

A crowdfunding appeal has been launched to buy supplies for horses rescued from Ukraine.

Launched by Gay Kelleway, a racehorse trainer from Newmarket, the appeal aims to raise £40,000 to help equines being cared for at the rehabilitation horse hub on the Poland-Ukraine border.

She hopes the funding will also be used to help reunite horses with their owners in Europe who have fled Ukraine.

Kelleway has been on a mission to deliver goods and medical aid to horses affected by the devastating conflict. In recent months, she has made several round trips of around 2,000 miles to the Polish border to drop off supplies, including rugs and bedding.

The trainer, who is based at Queen Alexandra Stables, also plans to rehome some of the horses in the UK and hopes to establish a charity to help fund the horse hub.

Speaking to the Racing Post on her way back from Poland in April, Kelleway said: "It's horrendous. Horses have been so good to me in life, without them I'd be nothing. I felt I had to do something, and what I saw today was heartbreaking. It's awful.

"Me and Neil Carson, my co-driver, were going to stay but we were told we would be of more help going back and getting more supplies to keep it going to bring horses back next week. It isn't getting better this war, in fact, it's getting far worse.

"This isn't a holiday, this is a mission. We want to get back there as soon as we can to help the horses and everyone. Please contact me if you have anything you can donate towards helping the horses."

The mission to rescue horses in Ukraine is being organised by Charlie Thornycroft, a former PA to the late Khalid Abdullah, along with veterinary professionals from Ukraine and across Europe.

At the time of writing, Kelleway's fundraising campaign had reached £28,000 of its £40,000 target. To donate to the appeal, visit justgiving.com 

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.