John Challis
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John was a dedicated BHPS patron for over a decade and during that time we got to see just how much he adored our prickly friends. He was totally committed to the cause, championing the hedgehog and BHPS whenever he could, readily agreeing to filming, events, media requests and promoting the charity with great warmth and humour. We miss him very much.
Major Adrian Coles
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Major Adrian Coles MBE, who became nationally known as Major Hedgehog, founded the British Hedgehog Preservation Society in 1982 and was instrumental in giving the hedgehog the high profile that it now enjoys. Our Charity now has well over 11,000 supporters, publishes regular newsletters and works tirelessly to improve awareness of the plight of the hedgehog.
Major Coles was also a Shropshire County Councillor, Civic Head and Chairman, former Chairman of his local District Council (South Shropshire) and former Chairman of his Parish Council. He was well known to Members of Parliament for his campaigns to help the hedgehog, had appeared many times on television and given countless radio broadcasts about all things prickly!
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He was awarded an MBE for his services to the community in 2000, was an Honorary Alderman of South Shropshire and was a Freeman of the City of London. In his later years he moved to London and became a Chelsea Pensioner, donning the famous scarlet coat with pride.
Major Coles died peacefully at Royal Hospital Chelsea on 23rd March 2017 aged 86.
BHPS Chief Executive, Fay Vass said: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of someone who did so much for hedgehogs. We owe a debt of gratitude to Adrian, who leaves our thriving active Charity as a legacy to us all. Our work will continue - that is what Major Hedgehog would have wished."
Ken Dodd
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Ken joined BHPS in August 2014 and was a valued Patron up until he sadly passed away in March 2018. He was very interested in the work of the Society and had hedgehogs in his garden at Knotty Ash. He had a great affection for our prickly friends and was most concerned about their population decline. A proud & dedicated BHPS supporter - Ken is warmly remembered.
Annie Ross
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Annie Ross was the brilliant artist and designer behind our logo and wonderful hedgehog infographics, and The Future is Unmown brand.
Annie was a kind, talented and generous BHPS supporter, who gave her time and incredible skills to help hedgehogs and other wildlife. Her artwork continues to help us share important information about making our gardens and green spaces more wildlife friendly.
She was a joy to work with and is fondly remembered and missed by everyone at BHPS.
Carol Finch
11th December 1948 - 4th May 2022
From an early age Carol loved all forms of wildlife and this continued throughout her life. In particular, hedgehogs were one of her favourites and, when it was clear that these lovely creatures were in serious decline, she felt compelled to do something about it. Being a supporter of the Society for many years, she was put in touch with a local Hedgehog Rescue Centre who were looking for volunteers to re-home and provide care for those hogs who were now fit enough to be released back into the wild, but unable to be released where they were found.
Carol Ann Forbes
1950 - 2023
Carol was a true advocate for women, all wildlife and nature - especially for hedgehogs. Carol nurtured and cared for hedgehogs for over 50 years with an unwavering passion. From providing safe accommodation and feeding them to looking after their welfare.
When a very poorly hedgehog arrived in our garden, she rushed it to the vets who suggested it was too ill and would need daily injections, and daily hand feeding. She insisted they try and would drive the 20-mile round trip daily for 8 weeks, as it recovered and was released.
Maureen Lesley Lawson
This photograph shows Maureen in action at the bottom of our beloved back garden where she unfailingly left food for the nightly visit from three hedgehogs.
Four years previously she had personally created doors in that fence for them to come in and out. Maureen used to give them kitten biscuits.
She always seemed to know what she was doing on that front - and didn't go to bed till she'd seen them appear.
Valerie Joy Swain
Valerie Joy Swain, always known as Joy was a daughter of a fisherman in Looe in Cornwall. She spent many years as farmer's wife near Looe and developed her love of all creatures great and small.
It was when she moved to Plymouth and found a hedgehog in her garden that she developed a close interest in hedgehogs. She and her husband built a den for her hedgehog into which he would hibernate each winter.
Lenni Sykes
24/08/1961 - 10/05/2023
Lenni was passionate about animal welfare and the environment. Vegan for 45 years, she was a strong campaigner.
Hedgehogs were her great passion and her book "The Natural Hedgehog" was very popular.
In her younger days, Lenni was actively involved in marine animal rescue, donning a wet suit and swimming to the aid of sick and injured dolphins and other cetaceans. She maintained a keen interest in marine life, loving the sea and all life therein.