Warwick woman named as finalist in PETA competition

A woman from Warwick has been named as a finalists in a PETA competitions.

Marzena Spiewak, has been named as one of 12 finalists in the UK and Ireland's Most Beautiful Vegan Over 50 Competition 2020.

The 55-year-old vegan, who works as a branch manager for the transport and logistics company Ziegler UK, made the list after showing her colleagues her issues with the dairy industry.

She also campaigned for her workplace to switch to vegan milks – and succeeded.

Marzena said: "I started talking about dairy industry about a year ago in some short conversations with the personnel in the office, telling them about massive suffering of the cows in this industry, what is happening to the calves and how cruel this industry is, explaining why I drink plant-based milk.

"They were listening with the interest, because they had no idea about all of that and slowly gradually, they decided that they want to join me in using plant-based milk.

"I couldn't believe that I made it to finals.

"There is so many amazing people in there and whoever wins will be great.

"I hope that this kind of competition is opening up a new platform to show that we all can live together on this planet, carrying for each other and all species without causing any harm.

"We have so many plant-based options at the moment that all of us should consider to change for the animals who are beautiful living beings that can feel pain and love and also for the planet."

Marzena's garden is also a haven for hedgehogs, squirrels, pigeons, and other animals.

"I become a vegan for the love of animals - I always had a special connection with them, having pets at home through all my life, so it was a natural way that we started feeding birds in our garden and we have a vast variety of them including herons and sparrow hawks coming over from time to time.

"Then we noticed a squirrel coming to feed on the seeds, so my partner decided to build a special feeding station for it - we called him Ricardo.

"Then after a year or so we have noticed that he brought his girlfriend and we called her Maria.

"At the moment we have four of them now running towards me when they see me in the garden.

"On the top of that a few years ago we have noticed a hedgehog locked in our shed by accident and immediately we jumped to rescue it offering some food and water.

"The hedgehog recovered very well; my partner built a hedgehog house for him and also a 'restaurant' next to it, so when it's raining they can eat covered.

"At the moment we have three of them living in our garden.

"Also seven years ago we have noticed a pigeon coming and spending a lot of time in our garden too, I was talking to it a lot, leaving seeds and nuts and after all these years we have a few generations of them - about 50 coming every day.

"We have nest of mice in our patio and we even have foxes visiting us from time to time.

"We also have two cats, who learned how to exist with all of these animals together."

Elisa Allen, PETA director, said: "With her huge heart and courageous spirit, Marzena is a hero for animals through and through.

"All the finalists of PETA's Most Beautiful Vegan Over 50 Competition are setting an admirable example of compassion for younger generations to follow."

The winner of the contest will receive an award-winning "Les Plantes" vegan tasting menu for two at London restaurant Gauthier Soho.

This year's winner will be announced by September 11.

To find out more or to vote for the winner go to: https://www.peta.org.uk/