We are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of our Patron and Visionary, Dame Penelope Keith.

Penelope was a well-loved actress known for her comedy and theatre roles, starring in popular British sitcoms - The Good Life and To the Manor Born, but to all of us at Compassion, it will be her legacy of kindness to farmed animals that we will most fondly remember her for.

A hero for hens

Over the decades Penelope rehomed numerous ex-caged hens, providing her girls with a loving home after they experienced the horrors of a factory farm. She also used her voice to support our End the Cage Age campaign, calling for cruel cages to be banned, and presented our Good Egg Awards in 2009, celebrating companies that committed to freeing millions of hens from a life of suffering in a cage.

Penelope attended many of Compassion’s events, including handing in petitions at 10 Downing Street, helping us to get more publicity for our campaigns. In the 2014 New Year Honours Penelope was made a Dame for services to the Arts and to Charity.

An environmental visionary

Penelope was also a signatory of our Vision for Fair Food and Farming, supporting our calls for policies to promote sustainable farming methods and reduced consumption of animal products. She recognised the importance of protecting our planet and its precious resources, and the urgent need to treat all animals with compassion and respect.

Penelope was a true champion for animals. She will be sorely missed by us all. 

Dame Penelope Keith – a legacy of kindness