We are delighted to announce that Georgeanna Stephenson has been awarded the 2025 Laura Turnbull Bursary. The bursary was presented to Georgeanna at The College of Animal Welfare’s Student Awards Ceremony on Saturday 8 November.
We received a record number of applications this year, and we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who applied. The quality and passion demonstrated across all submissions were truly inspiring, making the selection process incredibly challenging.
Georgeanna is a current Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing student whose dedication to animal welfare goes far beyond the classroom. Her application demonstrated exceptional commitment to veterinary nursing through years of volunteering in the UK and overseas, and future-focused aspirations, aiming to complete an intensive wildlife rehabilitation course in South Africa and ultimately dedicate her career to protecting and rehabilitating vulnerable species worldwide.
The judging panel felt that her passion for animal welfare and her determination to share knowledge truly reflect the values and legacy of Laura Turnbull.
Georgeanna will use the £1,000 bursary to return to South Africa next year, where she will continue her work in wildlife veterinary programmes and conservation projects. This experience will allow her to deepen her understanding of international animal welfare challenges and bring back valuable insights to inspire others in the veterinary nursing profession.
The programme Georgeanna will return to is Wildlife Adventure Africa. It is a wildlife veterinary programme run by an amazing family dedicated to conservation and restoring hope for all animals especially those in danger, in Limpopo South Africa. The programme is open to anyone with a passion to help animals and be educated in many ways from culture, wildlife, conservation, surviving in the bush, and generally being a part of the family and seeing the most amazing sights in South Africa in a truly breath taking and a one in a lifetime experience. One of Georgeana’s most memorable moments from a previous project was helping to dart a moving object out of a helicopter, followed closely by taking a bush walk alongside three gorgeous, orphaned cheetahs who love some attention but catch their own dinner in front of your eyes.
Georgeanna commented “Winning the bursary means a lot – not just for me, but for what the project stands for. It will give me the chance to grow as a vet nurse and to work with animals in a completely different environment. Knowing it’s in memory of Laura who cared so deeply about animal welfare and the dedication to really change the world, makes it even more special”.
The College and Laura’s family are delighted that the bursary will support Georgeanna on her journey and look forward to seeing the impact she will make in the field of veterinary nursing and wildlife conservation.
In addition to winning the bursary, Georgeanna has set up a fundraiser, to raise money and awareness for cancer research and to continue the sharing of Laura’s story and the bursary scheme – https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/wildlife-vet-nurse-for-breast-cancer-in-memory-of-laura-turnbull – please support her if you can.
Thank you again to all applicants for sharing your inspiring stories and ambitions. Laura Turnbull’s legacy lives on through your passion and dedication.