First ‘Ladies That Rescue’ Award Presented at Crufts

Trover ® Enterprises Ltd and Animal Friends Insurance (AFI) were delighted to have presented their first ‘Ladies That Rescue’ award at Crufts,celebrating and recognising the positive work achieved by women in rescue. The presentation took place on Trover® Coat’s UK distributor’s stand Country Mun on Friday, 9 March. AFI Founder MD, Elaine Fairfax, and Obedience and Freestyle expert, Donelda Guy, presented the £500.00 prize to the winner Val Philips of Valgrays Border Collie Rescue. She was accompanied by Red, one of her rescue dogs who was proudly wearing his bespoke Trover® Coat in style.

The runner up Jacquie Neilson of Rain Rescue received a Bootsuit, presented by Tim Valentine, MD of Bootsuit.

The Award was set up in response to staggering figures that reveal that 101, 586 stray dogs were found in the UK last year and that 7, 743 dogs were destroyed for want of a home, Trover ® and Animal Friends Insurance were keen to acknowledge the valuable rescue work achieved by women volunteers – without which these figures would be higher.

Inundated with entries all of which were extremely worthy, it is the aim to make this an annual competition, which will heighten awareness for women in rescue and the on-going recognition that they deserve.

Winner Val Philips said, 'I am deeply moved to have received such an honourable award. It is a great thing that people have at last begun to acknowledge the work done by so many women who give up their lives rescuing and caring for abused and abandoned dogs. The prize money will go back into Valgrays to help provide for more border collies in the future.'

Elaine Fairfax commented, 'It’s been a pleasure to collaborate with Jane Aireton and Toni Cherrett of Trover®. Together we hope to make others aware that literally hundreds of women, often single handed, contribute to helping animals in need, through their generosity of spirit and genuine love of creatures who don’t have a voice.'

Jane Aireton of Trover ® Enterprises Ltd added, 'We have been deeply moved by the women who have entered the ‘Ladies That Rescue’ competition. Their heartbreaking stories, which tell of 150% commitment, compassion and care for animals, whilst fighting for funds and working against incredible odds, are inspiring and deserve to be told.'