Who Are We?
Kerry
Kerry has felt an innate longing to
observe, protect and care for animals,
ever since she was old enough to
think. A quiet and introspective child,
she was always one to pick up on the
moral of a story and take it to heart.
At five, after watching Babe the Pig and
realizing that meat is the dead body of a murdered animal, she knew she didn’t want to continue to eat her friends.
As a vegetarian, Kerry thought she was no longer contributing to animal suffering. She avoided leather, animal-tested products, and often shared animal rights petitions online and donated to animal charities. But it wasn't until August 2017, after seeing a PETA clip about “downer cows” in the dairy industry, that Kerry learned that cows produce milk only when pregnant or after giving birth. Further investigation revealed the egg industry’s cruelty to male chicks, prompting Kerry to go vegan overnight.
In 2018, Kerry battled her crippling social anxiety to speak up for animals at a local Anonymous for the Voiceless event. Wearing a TV around her neck to show the public the reality of animal agriculture, she felt an overwhelming sense of pride and purpose, as if she'd finally found her place in the world. And there she met Nigel, who became her partner, both in activism and life.
Kerry slowly transformed from a purposely friendless misanthrope to an organizer for her local group and an unlikely confidant to new volunteers. Then, as Regional Support Lead for We The Free, she went on to manage over 60 teams comprising more than 140 individuals across the UK and Europe, onboarding new organizers worldwide via Zoom. Kerry feels blessed to have been able to use her struggles with self-esteem and depression to reassure and empower others, encouraging them to get active for the animals, the planet, and themselves, too.
Nigel
Nigel was raised in a traditional working-
class home, learning much from his
father and older brother, who were
both strong trade unionists. Following
in their footsteps, he became active in
the Labour party, focusing on human
rights.
When his eldest son began asking questions about where meat came from, Nigel and his then-wife discussed how to answer without upsetting him. By chance, they watched a horror movie set in a slaughterhouse that night, featuring real animals being killed. This led the whole family to become vegetarian.
Nigel then spent the next 32 years as a strict vegetarian, believing he was doing enough. But he now feels ashamed that he never considered going vegan, even though he had never met a vegan or learned about the horrors of the egg and dairy industries.
One day, a vegan on the street called Nigel out on his "ethical vegetarianism" which prompted him to go vegan immediately. He vowed never to let anyone think they were doing the right thing while still harming others. His favorite saying now is, “You might not go vegan immediately, but you will go vegan one day, and regret not going vegan today.” He has yet to meet a vegan for whom this isn’t true.
Having abused animals for so long, Nigel feels his moral duty is not only to be vegan, but to educate others and make them see their errors. He believes he can't undo the harm he caused, but he can work towards helping others to see the reality of their choices. For Nigel, being vegan isn't enough; it's a moral duty to be an activist.
Together
The Alternative originally started its life
during the dark days of the Covid
pandemic. Launched as the YouTube
channel "Mad About Animals" in
2020, it became a vital platform for
spreading the vegan message
when traditional street activism was
brought to a halt by lockdown.
Kerry and Nigel created the channel with the heartfelt intention of providing solace to isolated Vystopia sufferers and inspiring both new and seasoned vegans to remain active in any way they could. They wanted to foster a sense of community and purpose.
Now, several years on, with many trials and tribulations under their belts, they've rebranded as Be The Alternative. Together, they traverse the north of England, passionately engaging in street activism that sheds light on the many forms of animal exploitation, from agriculture, to hunting, to lab testing and animal tourism and so on. Their work is a testament to their unwavering commitment to animal rights.
Currently, Kerry is pouring her energy into launching "Northern Vegan: The Positive Activist Magazine," [blurb to be inserted here].
Nigel, with a keen eye for reaction shots, has become a much sought-after animal rights photographer, capturing the heart of protests and the resilience of activists across northern England.
Their journey is one of dedication, love, and relentless advocacy for the animals.
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