OUR PATRONS

We are very fortunate in having Colin Baker as our Patron. He is a dog lover with four dogs of his own. Colin originally trained to become a Solicitor before changing direction to acting. He appeared in the very popular TV series The Brothers from 1974 – 75 and was the 6th incarnation of Dr Who from 1984 – 86. He won a Celebrity Come Dine With Me and generously donated his winnings to SDR and also gave a good account of himself in I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here in December 2012. Colin lives nearby and has a regular column in the local newspaper, the Bucks Free Press.

Countess Baldwin of Bewdley, Lydia is a keen and active supporter of SDR and in 2011 she adopted Sherlock, a very handsome chap with lots of character. He died in 2017 and Lydia now has Stan, a very gentle Staffie cross who had belonged to her late daughter, Jessica. Dogs have always featured in her life and have ranged from a Griffon Bruxellois to a St Bernard, the former being by far the greater challenge.   Lydia is also an Oxfordshire contact for the Canine Epilepsy Support Group.   Having worked in publishing for many years, she took up sculpting in 1993 and exhibits under her own name of Lydia Segrave.

OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The volunteer Trustees oversee the running of the charity and provide strategic direction. The Board members come with many years of professional experience and have specific responsibilities, including fundraising, marketing and publicity, advertising, human resources, grant applications, IT, legacies as well as charity governance and management.

Co Chairs: JOHN CHERRY & LESLEY PEEL

JOHN CHERRY

I'd always been a fan of the amazing work SDR have done over the years and kept an eye out on how I might support the charity in the best possible way. Even more so recently, knowing the joy that a 4-legged family member can bring. Our wider family have had dogs for many years, but 2 years ago I became a proud dad to our Red Fox Lab, named Slim. I now have the honour of supporting SDR with all things digital. I have over 20 years of experience in marketing, developing strategies and creating campaigns that generate awareness and results for some of the world's biggest brands. Additionally, in my spare time, I've supported local companies to improve their digital presence, in some cases helping them to create a stable business for them and their community. I aim to bring my skills to SDR, in the hope of helping as many dogs as possible and continuing the great work the team have done for so many years.

LESLEY PEEL 

I am responsible for grant funding to support the great legacy which SDR has achieved in rescuing and rehoming dogs for over 60 years. Having enjoyed the love and loyalty of some wonderful dogs throughout my life I am pleased to be able to give back by supporting this well established charity with my skills and experience from a background in HR management as well as valuable charity sector experience gained from working in animal care. 

MARK BIGGS

I retired in 2018 and in my working life qualified as a chartered accountant before holding senior finance positions in the automotive, distribution and leasing sectors.

I have a standard schnauzer called Elsa and a miniature schnauzer called Basil. They are a vocal pair and keep me on my toes! Being a Trustee of SDR and helping the charity to continue its great work enables me to help other dogs who are not as fortunate as them.

ROBIN GATES 

I retired in October 2015 after many years as a Solicitor in private practice. I qualified in 1972 and specialised in Employment Law and Licensing Law. I have worked on prosecutions for the RSPCA and I have also defended them, along with the Police and the CPS. Animal Charities are close both to the hearts of my wife and me and I have helped Stokenchurch Dog Rescue on a Pro Bono basis for approximately 25 years. I have been a Secretary of Marlow Rugby Club and on an International Committee.

SIOBHAN GREGORY

Dave the dog was a huge source of support for me during COVID. As a cruelty case we fostered Dave who learnt from our adopted Labrador Rolo. We became failed fosterers and proud adopters of Dave 5 years ago. We now have the most gentle wonderful boy who is a role model for any dogs we continue to support.  

 In December 2021 I opted to take early retirement and then return on a part-time basis - so I am now working 3 days a week in a senior nursing role for NHS England. I work with and support all healthcare providers in London around quality, safety, and leadership. Being part time has enabled me to get more actively involved with things that make my heart sing- mostly dogs - and I am very excited to be a trustee at SDR.

MATT SIMMS 

As an inveterate lover of dogs, I've always held a special admiration for those who work to improve the lives of our four-legged friends. With a background in IT and cyber risk, I am very happy to be given the opportunity to use some of my skills and expertise to support the great work that SDR do, and look forward to working with my fellow trustees to make a real difference.

CHRIS WOODCOCK

My husband and I adopted Sally, a white German Shepherd Dog, from SDR when she was around 18 weeks old.  She was handed in by the mother of a student who had kept her hidden in halls of residence as pets are not allowed.  Luckily, she hadn't been ill-treated (as many of the SDR intakes are) albeit she was being kept in unsuitable conditions.  We all fell in love with her and she has proved to be a wonderful pet and quickly became the most important member of the family.  She patrols the garden with gusto, terrorising the local canine community and some of the more nervous owners who walk along the bridleway past the house.  She loves going out for walks and her regular visits from our two sons.

The reason I became a trustee is that I wanted to help SDR as they do a wonderful job in helping to improve the lives of many poor dogs who are in need of a home for one reason or another.  I live locally to Stokenchurch on a farm, we sell free-range eggs and have one of their collection tins in our shop.   I also work for a company that is a generous sponsor of SDR and that designed and built the enrichment gardens that the dogs enjoy.I hope I can make a difference by becoming a trustee and helping out this worthwhile cause.