Points of Light award for director

Heather Armstrong is the director of The Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust, a charity which provides veterinary care for working animals across the Gambia. Experienced veterinary nurse Heather founded the trust in 2002 having grown up in West Africa. She saw that many farmers were buying horses and donkeys at huge expense only for them to quickly die. Heather was also determined to stop the descent into poverty this was causing for many farmers.

David Cameron said: “Heather has worked tirelessly to support farmers and their families across The Gambia. Thanks to her dedication The Trust is ensuring working animals stay fit and strong.”

Sir Paul Beresford MP said: “I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Heather for this well-deserved recognition of her important work. The plight of poorly treated animals can be all too easily overlooked and Heather must take full credit for her work.”

Heather said: “I am absolutely overwhelmed to have this award and such recognition for our charity. A healthy working animal can increase its owner’s income by 500 per cent, so we feel that by helping the animals, we can also help their owners. Our amazing team of staff should all share this wonderful award. Thank you so much!”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be among the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make our website your homepage at www.wscountytimes.co.uk

2 Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wscountytimes

3 Follow us on Twitter @wscountytimes

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!

The County Times – always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.