The presentation of the inaugural St Francis Award by Catholic Concern for Animals was made to Joyce D’Silva at the CCA Retreat at Holland House earlier this week.

Joyce who is currently the Ambassador for Compassion in World Farming and was CIWF’s Chief Executive from 1991-2005 was the unanimous choice of the CCA Trustee Board to receive the inaugural award and indeed she was chosen “by acclamation”.

Joyce’s work over many,many years on behalf of animals is an inspiration to us all and we were very pleased that Joyce could join us at our Annual Retreat to be presented with the Award by CCA Chair Judy Gibbons and then delighted that she gave us a short talk afterward including informing attendees of some of her and CIWF’s work over the years including the incredibly important success in getting animals officially recognised as “sentient beings” by the European Union which was the basis for much of the later enacted pro-animal European Union wide legislation and this subject matter is very topical currently as the UK seeks to leave the EU and negotiates BREXIT.