Trustees

The Society’s Trustees are volunteers, and are collectively responsible for the governance and management of the charity.

Nik Iddon: Chairman

Nik has kept houserabbits for over 10 years, and was part of the group that founded the Society’s current rabbit project. As a Local Government officer, Nik is experienced in managing over 40 employees, with knowledge of HR and Health and Safety. Nik is also an active member of the Rabbit Welfare Fund and League Against Cruel Sports. Nik became a Trustee in late 2005 and was appointed Chair at the 2006 AGM.

Rachel Sheldon: Hon Secretary

Rachel has been a volunteer with the Society’s rabbits since 2003, and is our email contact for rabbit rehoming website www.rabbitrehome.org
Rachel’s professional expertise is in project management. Rachel assists with preparing for and running most of our fundraising events. Rachel became a Trustee in January 2005 and was appointed Secretary shortly after.

Bob Gregson: Hon Treasurer

Bob’s professional skills are in business development and management and motivation, which are important to us at a time when we are trying to move the Society forward to achieve its true potential. Bob also supports us with regular donations of goods from his business. Bob became a Trustee in 2003 and was appointed Treasurer in April 2006.

Pat Drury

Pat is an experienced dog owner and long-serving dog volunteer, who also fosters dogs and puppies for us in emergency situations. Pat helps regularly with fundraising events and also assists with reception cover if we are short-staffed. Pat became a Trustee in 2000.

Roy Gunton

Roy has significant business and management experience, and began his involvement with the Society at the request if his daughter, a former Trustee. Roy became a Trustee in November 2001 and was Chairman until Nik’s appointment at the 2006 AGM.

Peter and Margaret Hoyle

Peter and Margaret have been involved with the Society for many years, and are our longest serving Trustees. They foster a large number of cats at their home, and operate several food collection points on our behalf in supermarkets, providing a regular and much needed supply of pet food.

Karen Ross MRCVS

Karen is a qualified veterinary surgeon, who has been directly involved in the treatment of our animals in her previous post. Karen advises us on animal health and welfare issues, and development and implementation of animal care and welfare practices and procedures. Karen became a Trustee in June 2003.

Charles Senior

Charles is an IT consultant by profession, and has been involved with dog rescue for eight years, firstly with greyhounds and lurchers, and currently with dogs of all types and sizes. Charles and his wife Pat often come to our aid when we have elderly dogs with health problems that are hard to rehome, and currently have four oldies from us. Charles assists with fundraising.

Julie Westlake VN

Julie has been a veterinary nurse for 13 years and is the Nursing Manager for a multi disciplined referral practice. Julie manages all aspects of Health and Safety and manages 11 properties owned by the practice, used for accommodation and business. This provides a useful skill base for assisting with site and building management issues for the Society, as well as advising on animal care, health and welfare issues. Julie has a variety of her own pets

Staff Team

Based at the Sanctuary

Helena Brailsford MInstF(Cert): General Manager

Helena was appointed General Manager in August 2002, and had previously been involved as a rabbit volunteer since October 1999. She is delegated responsibility by the Trustees for all aspects of the Society’s management on a day to day basis. Helena has 14 years experience in management and fundraising roles in the voluntary sector, and is a member of the Institute of Fundraising. She was previously an active Trustee and member of the Cheshire (Altrincham) Branch of the RSPCA for over 5 years. Helena grew up in a rural environment surrounded by a wide range of animals, which started her interest in animal welfare. She currently owns one gerbil, one cat, 2 house rabbits and a horse (all rescue animals), and regularly fosters rabbits.

Andrea McClements: Animal Care Manager

Andrea joined the Society as Animal Care Assistant in April 2004, and has recently been promoted into her current post after 10 months in the role of Kennel Team Leader. Andrea manages the team of Animal Care Staff and volunteers, and is responsible on a day to day basis for all aspects of animal care and management, including rehoming. Andrea is ideally experienced for the role, having spent 11 years in veterinary nursing, followed by a contract at police dog kennels. Andrea owns 2 rescued cats.

Nicola Kilcourse: Animal Care Assistant

Nicola joined the staff team on a part-time basis in Novemeber 2005, after volunteering for some time with the dogs. Nicola has been an extremely flexible member of the team, working in the office at weekends, and filling in full time in the office on a temporary basis until taking up her current full-time post in June 2006. Nicola now works with all our animals. Nicola owns a black Labrador, Mac.

Pauline Cooke: Animal Care Assistant/Saturday Receptionist

Pauline is our newest team member, joining us at the end of June. Pauline works with all our animals from 8.30 to 1.30 during the week, and in the office on Saturdays, dealing with visitors and telephone enquiries.
Pauline has worked in a paid and voluntary capacity at another animal sanctuary, and ran her own small rescue for a while. Pauline currently owns 3 dogs, 6 rabbits, 7 cats and 1 ferret (all rescue animals).

Stephen Knowles: Sites Maintenance Officer

Stephen joined the staff team in June 2003, after volunteering for several months. He is responsible for repairs and maintenance at the Sanctuary and our charity shops. He also provides holiday cover for our Shop Managers and transport between the shops for transfers of stock and rubbish removal.
Stephen and his wife Ann own 4 dogs, 5 cats and 2 guinea pigs, all rescue animals.