Our Story
The Life and Legacy of Mrs Jean Sainsbury
Jean Beryl Lilian Lytle was born in England in 1925. Though her early years were shaped by hardship after her father left when she was just three, she showed determination and promise from a young age. She excelled at Frances Holland School and went on to build a successful career in public relations and journalism with Reuters News Agency. Her love of cinema later inspired her to create Film Post, a magazine dedicated to celebrating the art of film.
In 1961, she married banker Cyril “Squib” Sainsbury. Two decades later, in 1981, her life changed profoundly when she inherited a substantial estate from her estranged father. True to her generous spirit, Mrs Sainsbury used this opportunity to share her good fortune, supporting a wide range of charitable causes that reflected her compassion and commitment to animal welfare.
Her dedication did not go unrecognised. Mrs Sainsbury was honoured with the British Veterinary Association’s Animal Welfare Award and named an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Veterinary College, among other distinctions.
Mrs Sainsbury’s remarkable journey came to a close on February 10, 2007, when she passed away at the age of 81. Today, her legacy lives on through the work of the Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust—a lasting reminder of the powerful difference one individual can make.
The Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust
The Sainsburys dedicated themselves to enriching the lives of children, opera lovers, and animals. Mrs Sainsbury’s £500,000 donation to The Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital Wishing Well Appeal and the establishment of the Jean Sainsbury Royal Opera House Fund reflect her passions and desire to help others.
Mrs Sainsbury’s cornerstone legacy is the Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust, founded in 1982 to support small animal welfare organisations. With over £13 million donated to animal causes, the Trust demonstrates the continued impact of her compassion.
Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital
In 2010, the Trust helped refurbish the Royal Veterinary College's Beaumont Animals' Hospital, honouring her commitment to animal welfare. Mrs Jean Sainsbury received an Honorary Fellowship from the college in 1994 for her support, and the Trust continues to subsidise veterinary care for patients from low-income families.
Mrs Jean Sainsbury's legacy reminds us of the powerful difference one individual can make.
The Joyce Evelyn Shuman Bequest
In memory of his cherished wife, Joyce Shuman, Mr Joseph Shuman generously bequeathed a significant amount to the Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust. Joyce was deeply passionate about animal welfare, supporting charities that focused on:
Rescuing animals abroad, particularly through the rehoming, neutering, and vaccination of feral cats and dogs.
Caring for working horses and donkeys.
Protecting endangered species through rehabilitation and release.
The Trust manages this bequest compassionately, prioritising UK-registered overseas charities that align with Mrs Joyce Shuman's vision.
About Joyce Evelyn Shuman
Joyce Robertson was born and raised in Ilford, on the outskirts of London, as one of eight children. From a young age, she excelled in her studies at the local grammar school, demonstrating her intelligence and determination.
After school, Joyce worked as a shorthand secretary for a director at Glyn Mills Bank and later joined Global Tours, a travel company founded by her future husband, Joseph Shuman. Together, they built the company into a success before moving to Australia in the 1950s, where they established another thriving travel business focused on affordable winter voyages to the UK.
After early retirement, the couple travelled extensively and spent time in Japan, the Far East, Hawaii, and the Middle East. During this time, they became acutely aware of the struggles faced by working animals, the hardship endured by working equines, the neglect of companion and farm animals, and the loss of wildlife habitats. Deeply moved by these experiences, Joyce and Joseph devoted themselves to animal welfare and began supporting local rescue and veterinary organisations.
Upon returning to the UK in 1960, they volunteered at Foal Farm, an animal rescue centre in Kent, where they were both Trustees, and Joyce eventually became their president. They also became involved in many campaigns to protect wildlife including attempts to regulate the palm oil industry and halt commercial sealing.
