John Bishop urges locals to nominate an amazing animal champion

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The nominations for the 2019 RSPCA Honours awards are now open.

The charity - alongside RSPCA supporter John Bishop - is urging Oldham residents to think about animal champions they may know who deserve recognition for their hard work.

Last year, 13 awards were given out on the night including the Young Person Award which was presented to  11-year-old Libby Cantwell.

Libby, from nearby Stockport, made a New Year’s resolution to help animals by taking part in as many epic challenges as she can to raise money for the RSPCA.

From climbing mountains to marathon bike rides and cake sales, Libby managed to smash her target and raise more than £1,000 for the animal welfare charity.

If you know someone like Libby who has worked tirelessly to improve animal welfare, campaigned on behalf of animals or shown true bravery, you can nominate them via the RSPCA website until March 15.

Sharing a heartwarming, empowering or traumatic story which highlights how someone has made a real difference for animals will mean these amazing individuals will receive the thanks and celebration they deserve at an awards ceremony in London in June.

Comedian John was awarded Celebrity Animal Champion of the Year in 2018 and thanked the RSPCA via a video message in which he talked about his extensive collection of rescue animals including dogs, chickens, sheep, horses and alpacas, as well as a pig called Milo adopted from RSPCA Block Fen Animal Centre and two RSPCA turkeys Ingrid and Bernard.

John said: “It was great to receive the Celebrity Animal Champion of the Year award from the RSPCA last year.

"Animals are an important part of my life and we have lots of rescue pets at home including our lovely turkeys!

“Animals give you double the love you give them and that’s why I think people should rescue an animal.

"There’s loads of them out there and they’re just waiting for you.

“Nominations are now open so why not kickstart the new year by thanking an amazing animal champion.”

The star-studded event saw celebrities Jo Brand, Deborah Meaden, Peter Egan, Alistair Stewart, Angela Rippon, Kate Lawler and Pete Wicks, coming together with winners and nominators to celebrate amazing people and their shared love for animals. In 2019, the event is set to be bigger and better than ever taking place at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly in London.

It’s quick and easy to nominate online now at: www.rspca.org.uk/honours

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