Sir Richard adopted Sheba from the Trust whilst he was Governor of Windsor Castle. She was often seen trotting around behind him in the castle grounds and was a firm favourite with all the staff. Sheba, sadly died in 2013 whilst in retirement in Wiltshire.

Lady Elizabeth and Sir Michael have adopted two dogs from the Trust over the past 8 years and their current dog Buster has been with them since 2011. Living in Lincolnshire they take great interest in all the activities of the Trust in that area.

Ian Ratcliffe is very much a ‘hands on’ patron’. Ian adopted his first Labrador which the Trust had saved from an uncertain fate in Shanghai. Ian was largely responsible for the financing of Cookie and has since adopted another yellow Labrador called Honey. Despite living in Germany they all come over to the UK to support the activities of the Trust.

Anne was a Police Officer in Surrey for over 25 years and when she retired became a volunteer with the founder of Labrador Rescue in this country, Jamie Lee-Judson. After her training with Jamie Anne started Labrador Rescue Surrey and together with one other helper covered the county of Surrey. Seeing the need for more help for unwanted Labradors this organisation grew and eventually became Labrador Lifeline Trust. Her first Labrador called Bumble went blind at 2.5 years of age and Anne completely retrained her. More dogs followed and she has over 30 years’ experience in the breed and has owned 5 previous Labradors. Her current Labrador is Bramley who is a rescue dog from the Trust. Anne was a Director of the UK Wolf Conservation Trust – a post she held for five years until her retirement in 2013.

Joan Falvey joined the Labrador Lifeline Trust as a Helper in 2005. Having had a long career as a primary school teacher, she joined the Nottinghamshire/Lincolnshire team after moving to the area with her family. Joan was invited to join the Board of Trustees in 2007 and took over the Area Coordinator’s role in 2008. Joan and her family have one black Labrador, ‘Bella’,plus an assortment of rescue foster dogs plus a few other waifs and strays namely ‘Gertie Springbatt’ and ‘Max’. A few years ago Joan took part in a London to Paris bike ride to raise funds for the Trust. She is still intent on doing something similar again but perhaps the injuries she suffered are still a painful reminder! Her friends and family can only hope! Joan is passionate about obedience training and also has an interest in canine nutrition. Joan’s other hobbies include walking, gardening and when she has time …reading!

I have been involved in Labradors since 1979, breeding and showing under the Karimwood affix, and am also an International Championship Show Judge. My experience with running a boarding kennels began nearly 30 years ago, and my husband, Jim and I have recently purchased Lone Valley Kennels in Fareham. Over the years we have boarded for various dog charities, not only for LLT, but Dogs Trust, GSD Rescue, Hounds for Heroes, and the local Council. It is our aim to dispel peoples’ belief that dogs held in kennels are unhappy. Although it is impossible to recreate a home environment, we try to ensure the transition is stress-free and the dogs are given as many home comforts as possible.

I work in education and live in the West Midlands with my two LLT dogs, Clover and Branston, and 7 rescued cats. I became involved with LLT in 1999, by which time I had 4 Labs, including the unforgettably irrepressible Forrest (came for a week aged 17 months – stayed 11 years). A dog-in-a-million, he lived life to the full, despite an abusive puppyhood. I learnt far more from him than he did from me and he triggered my interest in the behaviour, training and rehabilitation of rescued dogs. Later I became an area co-ordinator until 2004 when my move from Middlesex meant I had to step back from the front line. I now help LLT whenever I can locally, fostering, assessing and transporting dogs. Forrest may no longer be with me but his legacy lives on in every dog I help.

I grew up with my parents and brother in Mitcham and Morden Surrey with a succession of cats. I then became a constable with Surrey Police for the next 12½ years where I met Anne Carter and became involved with the rehoming of Labradors, followed by service as a Police civilian for the next five. I swim twice a week, go Nordic walking at the nearby Forestry Commission forest – Alice Holt, assist with the local Food Bank, meet with fellow Guiding people at the monthly Trefoil Guild meeting, participate in Christian activities with my local Church and travelling to exotic places on holiday. Now ‘retired’ I live in a village with my two cats Dusty and Tigger who came as kittens from a family wishing to give up their Labrador!

Richard has a wealth of experience within Labrador Rescue and has worked with LLT for many years and prior to this he was with another Labrador rescue. Always happy to help out with any dog and has four rescue dogs himself. He is a qualified hydro-therapist and his aim is to one day own his own pool.