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Nature lovers get nocturnal
Image RSPB's Big Wild Sleep Out
The Big Wild Sleep Out aims to help children connect with nature.

RSPB's Big Wild Sleep Out to take place in June

Hundreds of thousands of nature lovers will be spending a night or two sleeping in the UK's great outdoors this June.

This year's RSPB Big Wild Sleep Out will see campers of all ages taking to their gardens, nature reserves, camp sites and parks for outdoorsy fun in the moonlight.

The more traditional campers will opt for a tent, while others may sleep in dens and shelters, or the really adventurous nature fans simply choose to sleep under the stars.

Activities include camp fires, bat safaris, stargazing and bug-hunting. Sponsored activities will help raise money for saving wildlife.

According to the RSPB, £20 could but a nest box for starlings, while £30 pays for a GPS tag to monitor where a seabird flies to find food.

The charity offers information on wildlife species that can be seen at night, as well as tips on where to spot bats, bugs and night-time birds and recipes for camp fire cooking.

The yearly event aims to help children in the UK to connect with nature, encouraging them to value wildlife.

The Big Wild Sleep Out is taking place from 16 to 22. For a list of night-time events going on in the UK, visit the RSPB website.

Image courtesy of RSPB

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.