A SHETLAND woman is to receive an animal welfare award in recognition of her efforts to treat sick and injured marine wildlife.
From her home in Hillswick, Jan Bevington has rescued countless vulnerable animals over the past 27 years. She saved her first seal in 1987 and soon after established the Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary.
Within months, Ms Bevington was caring for a handful for abandoned seal pups before taking in other creatures such as dolphins and otters.
Tomorrow, the 67-year-old will be given the Marine Rescue Award from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) during a ceremony in the House of Lords.
She said: "I was completely taken aback when I heard about this award. I just do this work for the love of it; it's an honour to have been nominated and for Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary to receive such recognition."
In 1991, Ms Bevington took in 100 grey seal pups during severe weather, saving almost half of them. She was also on hand when the Braer oil tanker ran aground at Garth's Ness, taking in oiled seals and otters.
Ms Bevington set up the sanctuary after she found a seal stranded on the beach near her house in May 1987. She could not find anyone in Shetland who knew how to look after a seal pup so she contacted a centre in Cornwall for advice and went on to set up her own sanctuary.
Now a registered charity, the Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary continues to look after sick, injured and abandoned marine wildlife in Shetland, with Ms Bevington opening a vegetarian cafe at her home to raise funds.
Azzedine Downes, president and chief executive officer of IFAW, said: "Jan's dedication has seen her rescue countless marine mammals over the years and she is a great example of animal welfare in action."
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