RCVS Christmas donation and opening times

For this year's President's Christmas Box donation we have made a £3,000 Christmas gift to the mental health charity Mind.

The charity was chosen by current RCVS President Professor Stuart Reid. The donation has been made every year since 2010 in lieu of sending out Christmas cards and previous recipients have included Canine Partners, equine charity SPANA, Hounds for Heroes and the Veterinary Benevolent Fund.

Mind is one of the leading mental health charities in England and Wales and provides advice and support to people who are experiencing mental health problems as well as campaigning to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

Kathleen Miles, Director of Fundraising at Mind says: "We are delighted to have been chosen to receive this generous donation from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Money raised through the President’s Christmas Box will help Mind to be there for the one in four people who have a mental health problem; so they get the support they need and the respect they deserve.”

More information about Mind and its services is available at the charity's website.

If you are in need of support over the Christmas period you should call the new Vet Helpline telephone number on 0303 040 2551 for free and confidential emotional support. The Helpline is open 24 hours a day including on Christmas Day. You can also use a confidential email service, which is accessible via the Vetlife website.

Seasonal opening times

Over the festive season the College will operate the following opening times:

• Monday 22 December - open
• Tuesday 23 December - open
• Wednesday 24 December - closed
• Friday 26 December - closed
• Monday 29 December - open
• Tuesday 30 December - open
• Wednesday 31 December - open until 3pm
• Thursday 1 January - closed
• Friday 2 January - open

Wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!