James Wild MP presents seal campaigner Jenny Hobson with Points of Light award on behalf of the Prime Minister
After her campaign to stop the sale of plastic flying rings which cause terrible injuries to seals, Jenny Hobson from King’s Lynn was presented with the Points of Light award by James Wild MP at RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre. The Points of Light award is awarded by the Prime Minister and recognises outstanding individual volunteers making a change in their communities.
In his letter to Jenny the Prime Minister wrote:
“It is brilliant how you have taken an awareness-raising campaign right round the UK to highlight the impact of plastic toys on our wildlife.
“Thanks to you, shops and local businesses across Norfolk have stopped selling plastic rings. And you have encouraged your local councils to become the first in the country to ban the use of flying rings from their beaches in order to protect seals.”
Before Jenny’s campaign, seals were being endangered through the sale of plastic flying rings in coastal areas. The rings can get caught around the neck of the seal causing neck wounds. In response to this, Jenny created the ‘seal safety campaign’ to raise awareness of the harm caused to seals by flying rings and to encourage shops not to stock the rings and for consumers not to buy them. Great success came of this campaign, with coastal supermarkets stopping the sale of flying rings and independent seaside markets refusing to order any further flying rings – instead opting for solid frisbees.
To raise further awareness, Jenny sailed around the British Isles in 2022 spreading the message of awareness of the dangers to seals of discarded plastic flying rings.
This week James met Jenny at RSPCA East Winch to present the award and discuss her vital work to protect seals and her campaigning efforts so far. Jenny discussed with James how local Norfolk councils have been the first in the country to ban the use of flying rings from their beaches.
James presented Jenny’s award in front of the seal pools and met Hades, the latest seal rescued by Friends of Horsey Seals – currently being treated by RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre.
Commenting on the award, James Wild MP said:
“Seals are a much loved part of the wonderful wildlife along the Norfolk coast. Through her campaigning Jenny has helped to make a difference and stop these rings ending up in the sea harming these animals. It was a pleasure to present the award from the Prime Minister which underlines the impact she and everyone who has supported her campaign have had.”
Commenting on the award, Jenny Hobson said:
“I’m delighted to accept this Points of Light Award, my hope is it will raise awareness of the plight of seals caught in lost and discarded plastic flying rings further and spread the message: ‘We can all help the seals by only playing with solid frisbees on the beach (preferably biodegradable ones) and for shops not to sell them.’
