Tributes have been paid to a much-loved mum-of-five who saved thousands of animals in a career spanning more than 20 years at the RSPCA. Sonia Hulme, from Stockport, died aged 50 following a short illness relating to cancer she had three years ago.
She had worked as a frontline animal rescue officer for the RSPCA across the North West, and will be laid to rest in the uniform she proudly wore.
Colleagues remember her dedication
RSPCA Chief Inspector Nina Small, who is in charge of the Greater Manchester inspectorate group, said: “Sonia's dedication and compassion to help all kinds of wildlife and inspire those around her to do the same was remarkable.
“She was tenacious and deeply determined to make a difference to animals, supporting her colleagues with her wealth of knowledge and advice. Regardless of whether it was convenient, Sonia always made time to help an animal in need.
“Quick-witted and brave, she was not afraid to speak up when she felt it mattered. She was such a unique individual and will be missed by so many.”
A career devoted to wildlife
Sonia began her RSPCA career working to rehabilitate rescued animals at the charity's Stockport branch, before moving into frontline work. She spent 12 years working with officers in Cheshire and Merseyside, before eight years as an RSPCA officer in Greater Manchester.
Over her career she helped save the lives of thousands of animals, with a particular passion for wildlife and especially swans. She also assisted hundreds of people who needed help and advice in caring for their pets.
In her spare time she was also an animal rescue volunteer for the RSPCA - and so effectively was never off duty. She spent time out-of-hours carrying out rescues with members of her family.
Her passion and determination to make a difference was well-known in her community, and residents would sometimes bring injured wildlife to her door, even when she was in bed. She also set up a temporary wildlife refuge in the garage of her family home so she could care for injured wildlife until they could be transported to the RSPCA’s specialist Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre, in Nantwich.
Legacy and funeral arrangements
Lee Stewart, manager at Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre, said: “Sonia was a larger-than-life character with an extraordinary passion for wildlife. She wasn’t just passionate about animals, she was absolutely mad about them.
“The Stapeley team could always count on Sonia, often giving up her own time to help animals in need. And in return, we would always do our best to squeeze something into the hospital for her - we could not say no!
“Sonia was an inspiration to our team and her colleagues in the inspectorate, and her dedication to animal welfare was truly admirable. Her loss will be deeply felt by her family and friends, the RSPCA, our team and, of course, the countless animals whose lives she touched. She leaves a lasting legacy, and her passion, kindness and commitment to animals will never be forgotten.”
Sonia will be remembered by her colleagues for spending many hours rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife after her day job had finished - such was her passion for animals. During the busy spring and summer months it would be common for her to care for hundreds of animals - including ducklings, fox cubs, goslings, swans, geese, hedgehogs and even mice.
She sometimes hand-reared them with her children’s help after clocking off from her busy day job. Sonia appeared on BBC Breakfast and the Quest Red documentary Saving Britain's Wildlife to showcase the work of the RSPCA.
In recognition of her dedication and passion to wildlife, all 22 of the RSPCA’s self-funded branches in the North West have announced they will set up a fund in her name. The ‘Sonia Hulme Wildlife Fund’ will be established with £15,000 and will allow local RSPCA branches to apply for funding to support the rehabilitation and rescue of wildlife in their own communities.
Sonia leaves behind children Bethany (30), Aidan (29), Connor (24), Erin (14) and Finley (12), and grandchildren Grace (7) and Maisie (5). Following her death on October 15, her funeral will be held on November 9 at Rowans Chapel, in Stockport Crematorium.
The family have asked for no flowers, but donations will be requested for local wildlife and children’s charities yet to be decided. Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page in Sonia's honour has raised almost £3,000 for Moya Cole Hospice, where she was receiving palliative care.
