My name is Anna Malia and I am the founder of North East Animal Rights. I turned vegetarian at the age of 14 when I saw some leaflets about slaughter on a stall in Newcastle. I then started to look at other issues like bullfighting and bull runs, and regularly used to send letters to foreign authorities, back in the days before email was invented! I never got replies, but I also didn’t give up. Vegetarianism at the time (1980) was seen to be odd and strange but my resolve was further strengthened when we were asked to dissect fertilised eggs in school. These eggs had been fertilised, incubated and then deliberately cooled to kill the embryo inside so we could cut them up.

I converted to veganism 19 years ago when I saw some horrific (but perfectly routine) footage in a slaughterhouse where dairy cows were being killed. Every vegan I know says they wish they had done it sooner – but it is true, I feel exactly the same.

Over the years I have been involved in many areas of animal rights but love working with our group as it is based around education and the peaceful side of veganism and animal rights. People hear those words and think the lifestyle is extreme but it is our job to show them how easy and accessible it is (as well as cheap and healthy and better for the planet). I wanted to take an educational approach rather than direct action as I worked in a secondary school for 20 years so see how much more effective the message can be when it is properly delivered. I also have a Masters in Education which underpins the work I do and the work of the group.

I was lucky enough to be able to give up work at the start of 2020 so have been able to devote all of my time to my group as well as the campaign work we do and volunteering at a local animal rescue. I feel incredibly privileged to be able to do the work I do and although I know we have made massive progress over the past few years, there is still a lot to do.

I live with my (vegan) husband of 31 years along with a variety of rescue animals, currently rabbits, guinea pigs and cats!

Veganism is everywhere now and it is our job to make sure people understand the benefits to themselves, the planet and the animals!