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Motorbiking vets raise thousands for Ukraine
The group regularly travel miles on their motorbikes to provide CPD lectures while raising funds for charity.

Vets with Horsepower helped BEVA reach their £20,000 target.

Vets with Horsepower, a charity group of equine vets with a passion for motorbiking, have helped the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) reach their £20,000 target to help veterinary surgeons in Ukraine.

The group raised £9,922 by travelling 1,600 miles from Northern Germany, across Scandinavia and back to the UK. They provided educational events for equine veterinary surgeons along the way.

Vets with Horsepower was first organised by Professor Derek Knottenbelt after he won a Harley Davidson motorbike in a raffle. Professor Knottenbelt decided to learn to ride the bike and, after discovering a passion for it, brought together other equine veterinary surgeons with a love of motorbiking to form the charitable group.

The group now regularly travel miles on their motorbikes to provide CPD lectures to equine veterinary surgeons, while simultaneously raising funds for various charities. They were awarded the Point of Light award by former Prime Minister Theresa May when she was in office.

Their latest fundraiser contributed towards BEVA’s Power for Ukraine initiative, which will help buy power generators for veterinary surgeons working in war-ravaged conditions in Ukraine. The generators will be transported to Poland, and will reach Ukraine in time for the winter.

BEVA Council member Alison Talbot said: “BEVA’s Power for Ukraine initiative is part of British Equestrians for Ukraine.

“Thanks to the generosity of equine vets in the UK we had just hit the halfway mark of raising £10,000, before Vets with Horsepower set off on their epic Scandinavian mission. We are so grateful for their donation of £9,922 which means we can now buy another five generators, to help twice as many vets and horses in extremely difficult circumstances during enforced power cuts.

“Thank you so much to Vets with Horsepower and to everyone who has donated to Power to Ukraine since we launched the campaign in February. I am proud to be a member of such a caring, brave and determined profession where we are able to come together to help colleagues and horses in need.”

To donate to BEVA Trust Power To Ukraine appeal, visit their JustGiving page.

Image (C) BEVA

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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...
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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.