Animal welfare campaigner died of thyroid cancer

The family of an animal welfare advocate who died three months after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer described her as embodying "the very essence of what it means to thrive", at an inquest into her death.

Sarah Fisher, who ran the Tilley Farm sanctuary for rescued horses, ponies and donkeys, lived in Bath with her partner, the late actor Anthony Head - famous for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Little Britain.

The 61-year-old died at home surrounded by her family on 23 December, after undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

A statement from her daughter Emily Head, who is known for her roles in The Inbetweeners and Emmerdale, said Fisher had been "busy living" amid her terminal diagnosis.

The statement, which was read to the inquest by Dr Peter Harrowing, area coroner for Avon, said Fisher had continued to muck out her donkeys and horses and go on lengthy dog walks.

"She did not let her diagnosis define her and would tell anyone who would visit that she was too busy living," Head wrote.

Marc Lewis, Fisher's GP, said she had been diagnosed with a benign thyroid nodule in August 2019.

Fisher returned to the doctors surgery in June 2025 after she noticed increasing swelling in the area, which led to blood tests, an ultrasound and a routine referral to the ear, nose and throat (ENT) department.

Her case was reviewed by the department and triaged as urgent, and during an appointment in September, Fisher was given the "devastating news" that she had anaplastic thyroid cancer, which is highly aggressive, Lewis said.

Dr Matthew Beasley, a consultant clinical oncologist in Bristol, said in a statement: "Ms Fisher lived for three months following her diagnosis of anaplastic thyroid cancer, which unfortunately is a typical life expectancy for this aggressive cancer."

Harrowing concluded the hearing and ruled Fisher had died from natural causes.

He also offered his condolences to Fisher's family, who did not attend.

Tributes poured in for Fisher following her death last year.

She was a long-standing patron of Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary in North Somerset and also supported many animal charities, including Battersea Cats and Dogs Home.

A spokesperson for the London-based charity said: "Sarah, alongside her partner Anthony Head, gave so much to our charity, fostering dogs, using her canine behaviour expertise to train our staff and volunteers, and contributing in so many ways to make a real difference in animal welfare.

"She will be dearly missed by all of us at Battersea."

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