Honour for School Fundraiser Caroline Freedman
The School was delighted to learn that Caroline Freedman, who has raised funds for the School for more than a decade, has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
Caroline has been a dedicated and respected fundraiser for the School since 2001, when she launched the School's Ultrasound Appeal, raising £87,000 and enabling the School to purchase a state-of-the-art scanner.
She was invited to join the School's then Council of Friends and later the School's Development board, working towards and leading a number of the School's fundraising activities.
Caroline has worked in many areas of fundraising for the School, including establishing the SPACE (Small Patient Animal Care & Equipment) fund, which raised money for important projects within the Hospital for Small Animals.
In 2010 she oversaw the creation of the School's Hospital Garden and associated appeal, with the BBC's Beechgrove Garden team, which has enhanced the Easter Bush Campus for clients, students and staff alike.
Caroline was recognised for her work in 2004 when she received the IFAW Animal Action Award for Animal Welfare Fundraiser of the Year. In 2005 she became the University of Edinburgh appointed member of the RCVS council, where she has served until retiring on the 11th July of this year.
Caroline's association with the RCVS has not ended however, as she has agreed to stay on as a lay member of the Practice Standards Group - the coordinating body for the Practice Standards Scheme.
I am delighted to have been recognised in this way and even more delighted that the honour has been given for Animal Welfare in Edinburgh, which makes it all the more special. Everyone that supported me during the Ultrasound Appeal and the development of the Dick Vet Hospital Garden shares this award with me
Over the years, Caroline has worked on many projects for the School and been an excellent ambassador at many events on our behalf.
Caroline continues to be an important part of the fundraising at the School and we look forward to her working with us for many more years to come.