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ouncil wins RSPCA award for UK-first animal welfare partnership
Westmorland and Furness Council’s Thriving Communities Directorate have won the inaugural Withnall Partnership Award at this year’s prestigious RSPCA PawPrints Awards, held in Leeds on Thursday 13 November.
The award was accepted on behalf of the council by Senior Manager Public Protection, Emma Brass and Commercial Services Team Leader, Georgina Austin-Fell. The award was given in recognition of the council’s pioneering partnership work with the RSPCA in support of animal welfare at Appleby Horse Fair.
The Withnall Partnership Award is particularly poignant as it commemorates the service of former RSPCA Inspector Kirsty Withnall who worked with partner organisations at the fair over many years.
RSPCA Superintendent Jo Hirst said: “I was lucky enough to work alongside Kirsty both in the field when we were both inspectors and then later in our careers when we both were part of the Special Operations Unit.
“Kirsty was so dedicated to her work and was tireless in her efforts to improve the lives of those animals who were deliberately abused.
“To see an award in her name is a really proud moment for all her friends and colleagues who work within the RSPCA - Kirsty was a huge horse lover and I know she would agree that the work Emma, Georgina and their teams have done to reduce animal suffering and create quicker protection for animals in need at the Fair is truly remarkable, setting a benchmark for animal welfare at major public events.”
Kirsty’s dad, Trevor Withnall, said, “We were so delighted and honoured that the RSPCA has created the Withnall Partnership Award in memory of our daughter.