THE BANK OF ENGLAND’S plan to put wildlife on future banknotes has been welcomed by the RSPCA — but the charity says some of Britain’s most overlooked animals should not be forgotten.

The Bank has launched an 18-animal shortlist, covering mammals, birds, amphibians, insects and fish, with the public invited to help choose which species should appear on future £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes.

The RSPCA said the move could become a “celebration of wildlife” and a chance to remind people of the need to protect nature.

Dr Ros Clubb, Head of Wild Animals at the RSPCA, said: “Banknotes featuring our native wildlife will be a real cause for celebration.

“It is a great opportunity to not only showcase Britain’s amazing wildlife, but — in carrying pictures of wild animals in our wallets and purses every day — to remind us all of our own responsibilities to nature and the world around us.”

The charity said its 2025 Animal Kindness Index found that 73% of people were worried about the future of UK wildlife, with protecting wildlife emerging as the top priority for the RSPCA to address.

But the RSPCA has also urged the Bank of England to think again about some of the animals that did not make the shortlist.

The charity has released mock-up examples showing how banknotes could look if they featured gulls, rats, pigeons and badgers — species it describes as under-appreciated but important parts of British wildlife.

Dr Clubb added: “It’s great that the Bank of England has pulled together a diverse shortlist — from hedgehogs to foxes, frogs to kingfishers, and dragonflies to salmon — although we would love to see more animal underdogs make the cut.

“Gulls, badgers, rats and pigeons all divide opinion — but this would have been a great opportunity to discuss these fantastic animals.

“They’re all amazing in their own right. Pigeons, with their war hero history; gulls, who are dedicated to their families and their co-parenting responsibilities; rats, who are incredibly empathetic and intelligent; and the badger, the master architect of a network of underground cities.”

The charity also said it would have liked to see one of the UK’s six native reptile species included, saying many people remain unaware of the snakes and lizards found across the country.

The RSPCA plans to respond formally to the Bank of England consultation as part of its wider Summer of Kindness campaign, which encourages small actions to help animals and wildlife.

A FORMER lifeboat coxswain who was told he was too old to continue going to sea has found a new sense of purpose with Blood Bikes Wales.

Clive had spent decades serving his community, including almost 20 years as a First Responder with the Welsh Ambulance Service and 38 years with the lifeboat. He eventually became coxswain, but at the age of 65 was told he could no longer continue in the role.

Despite being fit and healthy, holding a Class 1 driving licence and a Private Pilot’s Licence, stepping away from something that had been such a major part of his life proved difficult. He said the loss of involvement, purpose and identity hit hard.

Determined to find a new volunteering challenge, Clive contacted Blood Bikes Wales. As an advanced driver, he hoped to take on a car-based role, but discovered the charity operated motorcycles. At that point, he did not even have a motorcycle licence.

Rather than give up, Clive decided to learn to ride, pass his motorcycle test and work towards the advanced qualification needed to apply as a Blood Bikes Wales rider.

“It was the best decision I ever made,” he said. “The challenge and freedom that motorcycling gave me was a real tonic.”

With determination and support from mentors, Clive achieved his RoSPA Gold qualification and passed the assessments to become a Blood Bikes Wales rider.

Now, just over 18 months into his Blood Bikes Wales journey and approaching his 70th birthday, he says the charity has given him back something he feared he had lost.

He said: “I am truly grateful that I committed to the challenge and extremely thankful to Blood Bikes Wales for giving me back the direction, involvement and identity I had lost a few years earlier.

“Blood Bikes Wales is a truly inspirational and inclusive charity, made even more remarkable by the fact that every member is a volunteer. I feel proud to wear my rider’s jacket and represent the charity.”

CHARITY Paul Sartori Foundation has announced a major expansion of its retail operation in Haverfordwest, with a new community store planned for the former Factory Shop building on Snowdrop Lane.

The new Sartori Community Store is currently under development and will provide a much larger and more flexible space for the charity’s range of high-quality pre-loved and new goods.

Every purchase made at the store will help fund the Foundation’s free hospice at home services, which support patients and families across Pembrokeshire.

The move marks a significant step for the charity, both in improving the shopping experience and in increasing income for its vital local services.

As part of the transition, Paul Sartori will close its long-standing Bridge Street shop, which has served the Haverfordwest community for 16 years.

The charity has thanked the building’s landlords for their generosity and support since the store opened there in November 2011.

The Bridge Street premises hold a special place in Haverfordwest’s history, having once been home to the Sartori café and, before that, The Moon and Sixpence shop in historic Swan Square, overlooking the Old Bridge, which dates back to 1726.

The same friendly retail team will move to the new Snowdrop Lane store, where the charity plans to create a more community-focused space.

Plans include guest sellers, community group sessions and special events, making the store a hub for local people as well as a retail outlet.

The Foundation’s existing Snowdrop Lane premises will be converted into a central warehouse and donation drop-off point, helping staff and volunteers manage the large volume of donations received from the public.

The site will also include a dedicated mobility centre for larger second-hand mobility aids, including scooters, which are in high demand across Pembrokeshire.

Julia Brady, Head of Retail at the Paul Sartori Foundation, said: “This is a truly exciting step forward for our retail team and for the communities we support.

“Our new Snowdrop Lane store will give us the space to grow, to offer an even wider and more inspiring range of goods, and to create a welcoming environment where people feel part of something bigger.

“Every visit, every donation, and every purchase helps us continue delivering our free hospice at home care across Pembrokeshire, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to be part of this next chapter.”

Customers and supporters will be invited to a closing down sale at the Bridge Street store, with details to be announced once a moving date has been confirmed.

The Foundation is also preparing to recruit new volunteers to join its retail team ahead of the move.