Louise Yule and her partner Mike Kinghorn began their journey 20 years ago by moving to an Aberdeenshire farm seeking a simpler life, initially with just a few animals. Over time, their farm evolved into Halfpenny Farm Animal Sanctuary, a registered charity providing a permanent home for animals often overlooked due to age, health, or behavioral issues. Louise, who left her research technician job and later worked at a vet’s surgery, found herself rescuing more animals than anticipated, eventually caring for around 1,000 animals with the help of hundreds of volunteers. The sanctuary also supports people with learning difficulties and those seeking confidence or career skills, creating a mutually beneficial environment.

Despite financial challenges, including relying on redundancy and pension funds, rising costs nearly forced the sanctuary to close earlier this year. However, a volunteer-led fundraising effort brought vital community support, allowing them to continue operating, though they have paused taking in new animals to focus on current residents. Halfpenny Farm has been shortlisted for the BBC’s Make a Difference awards in the Animal category, recognizing the sanctuary’s significant impact on both animals and people. Louise expresses pride in their dedicated team and the strong bond between volunteers and animals, describing the sanctuary as a close-knit family.