Joyce Evelyn Shuman Bequest

The Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust received a substantial bequest from Joseph Shuman in memory of his wife.

Joyce Shuman favoured animal charities involved with:

  • Animal rescue work overseas including rehoming and the neutering and vaccination of feral cats and dogs.
  • Working equines
  • Endangered species where, if possible, the rehabilitation and release of animals is their main aim

The bequest in her name is administered by the Trustees of the Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust with an emphasis on UK registered charities with the above aims.

 

Joyce Evelyn Shuman

Joyce Robertson was born and grew-up in Ilford on the outskirts of London.  She was one of eight children.  As a bright and intelligent child she attended the local grammar school achieving excellent exam results.

On leaving school, Joyce worked for several years as a shorthand secretary to one of the directors of Glyn Mills Bank.  Joyce then worked as the secretary of Global Tours, a travel company set-up by (her future husband) the entrepreneur Joseph Shuman. Together they built the company up to be a great success.  They decided to sell it and move to Australia in the 1950’s.  From their new base in Sydney, the Shuman’s set-up another successful travel company, this time specialising in affordable travel by ship to the UK. Their voyages set sail in winter and were the first to do this.

Taking early retirement, the couple travelled the world extensively and among other places spent time in Japan, the Far-East, Hawaii and the Middle-East. It was during this time that Joyce and Joseph experienced first-hand the hardship endured by working equines, the neglect and cruelty suffered by companion and farm animals and witnessed how the growing human population was displacing wildlife from their natural habitats. Joyce had always been committed to animal welfare but it now took precedence in her life and that of her husband. They gave to local groups involved in rescue, veterinary work and education.

In 1960, having returned to the UK, Joyce and Joseph gave much of their time voluntarily to work in aid of Foal Farm, an animal rescue centre in Kent. They were Trustees there for many years. Joyce eventually became their president and remained so until her death. They also became involved in many campaigns to protect wildlife including attempts to control the palm oil industry and halt commercial sealing.

As a lasting tribute to his wife, Joseph Shuman left his Estate to The Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust, on the understanding that donations were mainly directed towards charities involved in work favoured by Joyce. To this end The Joyce Evelyn Shuman Bequest has been established.