Meet the Trustees

Andrew Eze

I was delighted and honoured to become a trustee of Animal Rescue Cumbria in August 2017.

I have been an investment manager with Brewin Dolphin for over 20 years. During this time I have managed investments for a number of charities in Cumbria and further afield.

I hope to bring the experience gained in my professional career to further the good work at Animal Rescue Cumbria.

Since joining as a trustee my household has become the very proud owner of two dachshunds and now can’t quite imagine life without our four legged friends.

Graham Fraser

I live within that part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park located in Cumbria. I am a Governor of my local Primary School and Treasurer of the local Church.

My career background is in Shipping and during the past 35 years, I have held various leadership positions in the UK and abroad. Since 2012, I have independently consulted extensively across a number of industries. I decided to retire in 2020.
Throughout my career I have always been passionate about, and involved with skills development and professional training. I have been active in promoting in-company adult training, and have championed workplace skills and learning initiatives with Investors in People (Gold) and Customer First accreditations.

My career in the shipping industry started with a Merchant Navy cadetship as a Navigating Officer. I also served in the Royal Naval Reserve as a Seaman Officer. Shortly after completion of my professional sea-going qualifications, I studied at the University of Wales for a degree in Maritime Commerce, and, later, an MBA at Cranfield School of Management.

I enjoy walking the Dales with our dog, Daisy, a ‘Wainwright girl’ and also assist at the Shelter with off-site dog walking.

Sheila Mawer

I have had a long association with the charity for close on 40 years. I got to know Betty Wainwright when I came to live in Kendal.

Before the shelter was started, Betty used to look after cats at Garnett Bridge and I helped her.

When I retired from senior roles in education, I used to go up regularly to the shelter and help with the cats as a volunteer.

As I got more involved, I was invited in 2010 to become a trustee. It has been a great privilege for me to have this responsibility.

My more recent experience of being a trustee of Barnardo’s and a governor of a local school has widened my knowledge and understanding of governance.

I have adopted many lovely cats from the shelter over the years and currently have Flora who is 5 years old.

As well as being a trustee of Animal Rescue Cumbria I am also on the fostering panel for Barnardo’s and also a local authority.

I feel very lucky to be spending time doing the two things I love most; helping as a trustee to facilitate the finding of forever homes for pets and finding loving foster carers for children who through no fault of their own are in care

Vicky Kingsman

Originally from Oxfordshire, I have lived in Cumbria for several years now and don’t think I will ever leave.

I’ve always loved animals and as a child I adopted horses, gerbils, cats and dogs, and anything else I could persuade my mum and dad to let me keep.

My professional background spans research development and fundraising, having worked for large universities and a national animal charity. My academic background is in human psychology and animal behaviour, and for the past 10 years I have focused on my love of animal behaviour and am a registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB) specialising in dogs.

Animal Rescue is a wonderful charity, full of hardworking people dedicated to helping the animals in their care, and I am proud to volunteer for them.

As well as my passion for helping animals, I also love food and try to combine any dog walks or swims with a pitstop for cake.

Anna Williams

I moved to Cumbria in 1989, working as a Chartered Building Surveyor on a very wide variety of buildings and construction projects, going self-employed in 2002. I was also involved on RICS committees both locally and in London, and was a Governor of a local college for 9 years.

Now that I’m winding down to retirement, my plan was always to support an animal rescue charity, so I was delighted when the opportunity arose to join Animal Rescue Cumbria as a Trustee in 2022. I now also volunteer as a “cat cuddler”, which I enjoy as much as the cats do. I always give a little cheer when I see that they’ve gone to their new homes.

I am amazed at the love and individual attention every animal receives from the devoted staff at the shelter to ensure they get the care they need and that they go to the home that’s right for them. I am also impressed by the dedication and professionalism of the Trustees supporting them. I am pleased to offer my experience as a Surveyor in the forthcoming development of the new shelter, which will much better meet the needs of the animals, staff and volunteers, and I look forward to seeing this come to fruition.

I have loved animals all my life and have shared my home with many rescue cats, whose wide ranging needs and quirks have taught me a great deal. I have also been an active member of a cat health and behaviour forum, sharing what I’ve learned from them. We are currently owned by two cats who demand laps, food and playtime whenever we hove into view. Occasionally they give us time off to walk in the fells or tend the garden, or to indulge my newly resurrected passion of horse riding (badly, but slowly improving!).

Meet the Trustees

Meet the Trustees

Meet the Trustees

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