Veterinary nurses of the future will now be able to benefit from the incredible legacy of an inspirational Yorkshire animal lover and registered veterinary nurse (RVN). Laura Turnbull, who worked at Linnaeus-owned Paragon Veterinary Referrals in Wakefield, tragically died in January 2023 after a brave eight-year battle against cancer.
She was only 35 when she passed but packed so much into her life and career that an annual bursary has now been set up to honour her memory, organised in partnership with Laura’s loving mum, Hilary and supportive sister Sophie.
Hilary, from Huddersfield, said: “I am so proud of Laura and so thrilled to have helped set up this bursary in her memory with the College. The College is where Laura realised her dream of becoming a registered vet nurse and dedicating her life to the care and welfare of animals.”
She continues: “Laura really was remarkable. There were plenty of times when we felt she was too ill to go to work but she still somehow found the strength, determination and energy to prove us wrong. Even in 2019, when Laura was diagnosed with secondary cancer in her spine, she refused to give in to the disease.”
Alison German, head of communications at the College of Animal Welfare, says students and registered vet nurses all across the UK can now apply for the new bursary.
Alison, who’s also an RVN, added: “The College is proud to announce the establishment of the Laura Turnbull Bursary, a new annual award worth £1,000 in memory of our former veterinary nursing student, Laura Turnbull.
“The bursary aims to honour Laura’s legacy and passion for veterinary nursing by inspiring and enabling other student veterinary nurses to make meaningful contributions to the field and to support projects that reflect Laura’s spirit and her remarkable dedication and care to animals.
“This will include encouraging innovative research to improve veterinary practices and animal welfare, supporting initiatives within local communities that promote veterinary nursing and animal welfare and exploring and integrating alternative medical practices in veterinary care.
“It will also embrace the fostering of interdisciplinary collaborations that benefit both human and animal health and explore new ideas and contributions to the advancement of the veterinary nursing field.
“Laura’s bursary is open to all current and former veterinary nursing students of the College of Animal Welfare and we look forward to seeing the incredible projects that students will develop and the positive impact they will have on the profession.”
All applications for the 2024 award must be received no later than October 31 and the inaugural recipient will be announced at the College’s Student Awards Ceremony on Saturday 16 November.
It was at CAW’s annual awards in 2016 when Laura was honoured with the “Best Final Year Veterinary Nursing Student Award” shortly after qualifying as a registered veterinary nurse. Laura joined Paragon Veterinary Referrals in 2019 where her passion and commitment endeared her to both colleagues and clients.
Further information on the bursary can be found here.
