A short film entitled “Love Will Always Triumph Over Evil” tells the true story of a pup called Cola whose front legs were hacked off with a sword by a man angry over the animal chewing his shoes in Bangkok.

The pup was saved by Soi Dog, who paid for emergency medical treatment for the animal and for fitting it with prosthetic legs, before bringing it to Phuket where it was adopted by the co-founder of Soi Dog, Gill Dalley, a double leg amputee who died this year.

The British Charity Film Awards celebrate the charity sector’s use of film, whether for awareness building, changing attitudes and behaviours, or for fundraising.

Over 375 charities entered the awards, with just 36 making it through to the finals.

Soi Dog’s award was voted for by the public. Over 65,000 people voted, with Soi Dog collecting just over 30,000 votes.

John Dalley, Gill’s husband and the co-founder and president of the Soi Dog Foundation, thanked the people who voted for the charity.

“It is also more than a fitting tribute to Gill, who passed away last month, with the film demonstrating her pure compassion for animals who otherwise would have no-one else to help them,” John said. “Gill would have been particularly happy at winning the People’s Choice awards. She was a woman of the people.”

Gill died following a brief battle with cancer.

As a double leg amputee, Gill had formed an instant bond with Cola, understanding the issues it was going through in adjusting to life with prosthetic legs. The two became inseparable.

Cola is now being looked after by John at his home in Phuket, along with numerous other street dogs and cats the couple adopted over the years.

It is the first time a Thai-based organisation has received a charity award in the United Kingdom, and highlights the great efforts of all Asian-based not-for-profit organisations in making a sustainable difference to the lives of people, animals and the environment.

John said: “Thailand should be very proud of this award. It demonstrates how far the country has come in terms of improving the welfare of its animals. We are eternally grateful to the Thai people for all their support and assistance in improving the lives of street dogs and cats, and in ending the dog meat trade here.”

The Soi Dog Foundation’s short film on Cola and Gill was surprisingly made on a zero budget, in stark contrast to the professionally made films entered by the other charities. John said: “Our supporters don’t want us to spend their money on initiatives that do not directly impact on the welfare of the dogs and cats here. We spend 92 per cent of all donations directly on the animal welfare programmes we run on behalf of our supporters.”

Soi Dog Foundation volunteers Donna Freelove and Suzanne Woodhead collected the award, which is dedicated to the memory and legacy of Gill.

Other award winners include St John’s Ambulance, the Alzheimer’s Society, Royal Trinity Hospice, The National Holocaust Centre and Museum.