Forget Me Not Reading Rescues
The Trustees
Serena Swanston - Trustee
Serena's passion for animal welfare and her determination to help dogs in need are at the heart of Forget Me Not Reading Rescues.
She is closely involved in every aspect of the charity, from assessing and supporting dogs to helping foster families, arranging vetinary care, fundrasing and finding the right homes. She is especially passionate about helping owners before they reach the point of surrendering a much loved pet.
Serena believes every dog deserves patience, kindness and the opportunity to feel safe. She is committed to responsible rehoming, force-free training and providing lifelong rescue backup for every dog adopted through Forget-Me-not.
For Serena, rescue is not simply about finding a dog a new home, it is about compassion, committment and being there for both the dogs and their people when they need help most.
Tanya Burroughs - Trustee
Tanya is a highly experienced veterinary nurse who brings many years of invaluable knowledge, compassion and dedication to Forget Me Not Reading Rescues.
Tanya first adopted little Bagel from Forget Me Not Rescues. Bagel had endured a very difficult start in life, but now she lives-and expects to be treated- like the princess she truly believes she is!
Four years, ago Tanya then welcomed little Sammy into foster care for the rescue. Sammy was paralysed in his back legs, and Tanya took on the enormous challenge of rehabilitating him so that he could eventually find the best home. After a long and remarkable journey, Sammy began to walk again - and as you may have guessed, Tanya became a proud 'failed foster Mum' and Sammy stayed with her.
As Trustee, Tanya advises the rescue on all aspects of canine health and wellbeing. Her extensive veterinary knowledge is an incredible assest, and she also plays a central role in our fundrasing activties.
Tanya has an extraordinary passion for all animals, an enormous heart and a wonderful sense of humour. We feel incredibly fortunate to have her as part of the Forget-Me-Not family.
Jennie Garratt - Trustee and Secretary
It is fair to say that Forget Me Not Reading Rescues would not be the organisation it is today without Jennie
Her dedication, organisation and unwavering commitment have helped the rescue grow and continued supporting dogs when they need it most.
Jennie is our exceptional secretary and proud adopter of Loki, a much loved Forget Me Not rescue dog. She is also currently caring for Dexter and Teddy, two cavachons who have lifetime sanctuary with the rescue. Dexter is blind, and both boys receive all the love, security and specialist care they need with Jennie. Her compassion for vulnerable dogs is reflected in everything she does.
Jennie has revolutionised the way the rescue is organised, developed and funded. She ensures that fundraing events are booked throughout the year, helping to provide vital and regular income needed to care for our dogs. She keeps everyone on track, remembers the important dates and makes sure that nothing essential is overlooked. Her hard work behind the secenes allows the rest of the team to concentrate on helping dogs and supporting their families.
Kind, compassionate and deeply commited to a strong, ethical approach to animal rescue, Jennie always puts the welfare of the dogs first. She is also the calm and reassuring presence we all rely on during the most challenging rescue days. Whatever the situation, Jennie brings clarity, kindness and a wonderfully level head.
Without Jennie as our secretary, Forget Me Not Reading Rescues simply would not function. We are incredibly fortunate to have her as a trustee, a colleague and a friend. As if that wasn't enough, she also bakes the best cakes!
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Brett Bell - Trustee
Brett lives locally to the rescue and is well known for his love, compassion and his unwavering commitment to rescue dogs.
He is also affectionately known as a 'failed foster dad', having opened his home to foster dogs and found himself unable to let several of them leave! Brett is currently a devoted dog Dad to Bella, whom he adopted through Forget Me Not Reading Rescues.
Brett plays an instrumental role in governance of the charity. He has helped to develop our contracts and procedures so they reflect the importance of welfare and legal considerations involved in responsible dog rescue. His knowledge, guidance and attention to detail are invaluable - we would be truly lost without him.
Alongside everything he brings to the rescue professionally, Brett is hilariously funny, kind-hearted and a genuine pleasure to work alongside.
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Cat Boyd - Trustee
Cat has been part of Forget Me Not Reading Reascues since the very beginning and has played an invaluable role in it's growth and development.
Her journey with the rescue began when she fostered Kiki, who came to the UK from Romania. Like many of our wonderful foster families, Cat soon became a 'failed foster mum' when Kiki became a permanent member of her family. Most recently, she adopted the very special Lord Chase, a little blind Chihuahua who captured her heart. Cat is also a devoted mum to Ree Ree and Mi Mi and it is fair to say Chihuahua's hold a particularly special place in her heart!
As a trustee, Cat makes an essential contribution to the rescue's governance, fundrasing and day-to-day opderations. She is also leading the search for a permanent sanctary that Forget Me Not Rescues can call a home. A safe and secure base from whhich we can continue to care for dogs in need.
Cat is a passionate advocate for dog welfare and the highest standards of care. Her dedication, compassion and support are enormously valued, and the rescue simply would not be the ssame without her.
Steve Garratt - Trustee
Steve plays a central role in the financial and operational side of Forget Me Not Rescues Reading. He is married to our secretary Jennie, and whenever the team encounters a particularly difficult question someone will inevitably shout, 'Ask Steve!' - and somehow Steve always seems to know the answer.
Steve was responsible for completing the application that successfully secured Gift Aid registration for the rescue - a very important achievement that will help every eligable donation go even further. He is also the person we rely on to monitor our fundrasing events and reassure us that we are on track to raise the money needed to care for our dogs.
Together with Jennie, Steve is the proud Dad of Loki, Teddy and Dexter. He has also become something of a hero to some of our more challenging and selective rescue dogs. Little Dougie, a Cavachon who is very particular about the people he trusts, only has to hear Steve's voice before he bounces over and plonks himself happily beside him. Dogs seem to recognise Steve's calm, gentle nature immeadiately.
Steve also provides invaluable practical support. At fundrasing events, he is always one of the first to arrive, put up the gazebos and organise everything so we are ready to welcome the public. He works quietly behind the scenes, notices what needs to be done and simply gets on with it.
Quiet, calm and knowledgeable and completely dependable, Steve is a constant and reassuring presence within the rescue. His contribution is enormous, and we appreciate him more than words can say.
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Kathryn Hopper - Trustee
Kathryn is a highly valued member of the Forget Me Not Rescues team. She has the enormous and often demanding task of developing and maintaining the website, ensuring that it remains current, informative and welcoming to everyone who wants to learn more about our work.
Kathryn is also actively involved in organising fundraising events and provides invaluble support both during the preparations and on the day itself. She is a constant presence within the rescue - always available with her calm demeanour, thoughtful approach and sensible advice. No matter how busy or challenging things become, Kathryn has a wonderful ability to help everyone remain focussed and find a practical way forwards.
A very talented crocheter, Kathryn creates a wide range of beautiful handmade iteams to sell at events, helping to raise vital funds for the dogs in our care. She is also the creator of our lovely crocheted forget-me-not brooch, which has become incredibly popular with our supporters and a very special symbol of the rescue.
Creative, dependable and always willing to help, Kathryn contributes so much to Forget Me Not Rescues. We are incredibly fortunate to have her as a trustee, and absolutely love having her as part of our team.