Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary provides care and a home for life to over 300 rescued animals. The Sanctuary was set up in 1993 and is run virtually single handedly by Fiona Oakes. Fions'a partner Martin helps out at weekends.
Fiona is also an elite marathon runner coming 22nd in London in '06 and 17th in Berlin. Representing Great Britian in the '92 Olympics in track cycling, Fiona switched to running a few years ago. Fiona is also a retained Fire-fighter one of only a handfull of female Fire-fighters in Essex
Fiona has been a Vegan for over 20 years.
In 2004 Fiona was awarded the Vegan Achievement Award by the Vegan Society.
In 2007 Fiona was asked to be a Patron of the Charity CAPS (Captive Animal Protection Society) along with Jay Kay, Brian Sewell & Peter Tatchel and others
Fiona became the Essex County Marathon Champion in 2007 by winning the Halstead Marathon. She didn't only win it, she took 11 minutes off the 13 year course record! Not bad for someone with a knee replacement.
Amongst the rescued animals at the Sanctuary you will fund 31 Horses, 5 Cows, 52 Cats, 31 Dogs, 24 Pigs, 12 Goats, 16 Turkeys and numerous smaller animals. Note that all the Dogs live with us in the house !
Fiona's philosophy is that "I am privileged to be able to care for my animals, I do not regard them as my property. I do not attach a financial value to any of them. I try to allow them to interact with each other, where appropriate, in as natural environment as possible with me being there as the "overseer & carer".
My objectives are to give every animal in my care, love and the best possible quality of life I can, and when the time comes, dignity in death"
It costs over £4400 per month to feed the animals and this is met through the support of around 160 members worldwide. (50% of costs) The balance is met from Fiona's partners salary who works for a US Bank and her own income as a Fire-Fighter
The Sanctuary is not run as a business, nothing is deducted from any donation to cover admin, costs or salaries - there are no staff after all !
For further details please see the Sanctuary website at www.towerhillstables.com
New members are very welome & you can sponsor a rescued animal from just £2 per month via a simple Standing Order form.
Members can come & vist the "gang" on the Open Days which are in June & December
We also now have a monthly Dog walk on the last Sunday in the month - you can take a resced Dog for a walk in the countryside & have a bite to eat when you get back.
Please consider joining the Sanctuary we desperatly need your help.
