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

Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.