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
Parachute Freefall Fundraising
Kevin Bishop halfway down.
Keith Bishop, 30 years old, from Tewkesbury faced his fears on Sunday 11th July with a solo 12500ft parachute jump to raise money for the canine welfare charity Dogs Trust.

The forensic medic took up the challenge in memory of his late dog Blue, a Collie cross he rehomed 7 years ago from Dogs Trust Evesham.
 
The free fall jump took place at Cirencester Air Field and involved a 5,000ft free fall at a breathtaking speed of 120mph.
 
Keith Bishop explains: “I rehomed a crossbreed called Bluey from Dogs Trust Evesham in 2003 and he was like a member of the family to us – he even came to our wedding. When he died of cancer in March I decided to fundraise for Dogs Trust to mark his life and help other dogs have a second chance at life. I’m terrified of heights and it was all the more hair-raising as I dislocated my shoulder a few seconds after leaving the plane and the instructors had to deploy my parachute!”

Keith received treatment for his shoulder at Gloucester Hospital last week and now reflects on the jump: “It was the single scariest thing I have ever done, swiftly followed by the single most painful thing I have ever done! I would like to thank everyone who has helped so far, especially my wife Lucinda for putting up with the world’s worst patient and my employers G4S Integrated Services for giving me the time off work and financial sponsorship as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility commitments.”
 
Chris Slight, Dogs Trust Evesham Centre Manager adds: “We’re very grateful to Keith for taking the initiative and offering to do the challenge to raise vital funds for us. Dogs Trust receives no government funding so we rely on the generosity of our supporters and fundraisers like Keith to help us care for over 16,000 dogs a year.”
 
To contribute to Keith’s sponsorship fund visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/keithbishop or www.dogstrust.org.uk/giving/donations.

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

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.