Although a month has passed since I heard this terrible news, I am still in shock knowing that Helen, who seemed to be present everywhere, will no longer be part of our lives. I first met Helen about 10 years ago when I joined the Veterinary Science and Policy Advice team in AHVLA. We later worked together in the VENDU team and I was in awe of her encyclopaedic scientific knowledge as well as her skills in applying that knowledge to her work. She was incredibly generous with her time and expertise and very supportive of the team around her. As well as being a fantastically talented scientist she was a kind, caring person with a great sense of humour. She was a legend in her own time and unfortunately was taken from us far too soon. May she rest in peace.