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Runner completes 200th marathon for cat charity
"You don’t know what you can do till you try.”- Emma Challis.
Emma Challis overcame serious health problems to reach milestone.

A charity runner has reached a milestone, as she finishes her 200th marathon in aid of Cats Protection.

Emma Challis, from Shepton Mallet, ran the marathon from Salisbury to Winchester in aid of the feline welfare charity.  The former veterinary nurse had to overcome serious health problems, including blood clots, to complete the marathon.

Ms Challis started running long distance in 2013, as a way to strengthen her muscles after two serious accidents.  In 1997, Emma damaged her spine in a car accident. Then, in 2007, she fractured her pelvis after falling down the stairs.

In 2016 she was diagnosed with a long-standing blood clotting condition, which had been causing her pain for many years. A few days after completing her 28th marathon she was told she had multiple prominent clots in her lungs.

She also suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a condition which was worsened by the Covid lockdowns.

Despite these challenges, Ms Challis has completed ultra-marathons and full-distance triathlons. Last year, she ran over 1,500 miles.

Her most recent marathon saw her raise money and awareness for Cats Protection, a charity that she has close links to. Ms Challis rehabilitates and fosters cats for Cats Protections’ Glastonbury and Wells branch, and is currently caring for her 102nd cat, called Kevin.

Emma Challis said: “I really enjoy my sports events and get such pleasure from doing them - I feel amazing before, during and after,”

“As it’s a social activity, I’ve made many super friends. I also feel very lucky and fortunate to be able to take part in these events considering the damage my body received from developing blood clots. Although the damage is permanent, I manage ok and benefit in many ways from doing so much exercise.”

She continued: “I never thought I could achieve any of this because of my health problems but I refuse to let life get me down,

“You don’t know what you can do till you try.”

Image © Cats Protection

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
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RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."