Branch secretary retires after 40 years at RSPCA

AFTER 40 years with the RSPCA, Judith Kemp has hung up her collecting tin and retired.

Staff at RSPCA Nottingham and Notts in Hyson Green said a fond farewell to their branch secretary and presented her with a camera and a photo album of memories from her time there.

Mrs Kemp, who started as a volunteer in 1971, said: "It feels very strange to be leaving, but it hasn't really sunk in yet.

"It has been part of my life for so long, and we are all so close that it is like leaving my family."

Mrs Kemp, 64, of Edwalton, said she was working as a hairdresser when she started volunteering for the RSPCA.

"I've always loved animals, and I grew up in Ireland where we had lots of dogs, cats and horses.

"The former branch secretary was a client of mine when I was a hairdresser, and she's the one who persuaded me to start volunteering."

Mrs Kemp was made branch driver in 1980, and travelled around the city in a Robin Reliant, picking up sick and injured animals.

In 1985, she became branch secretary, a post she has held ever since.

Staff at RSPCA Nottingham said she has given her all to the charity, from picking up jumble out of work hours to representing the branch at national meetings and rushing animals to the vet late at night.

Animal co-ordinator Donna Cuthbert said: "We couldn't have asked for a better boss. She's firm but fair and somebody you could really rely on.

"She's done an awful lot for the animals, but also for the people she has met who genuinely needed help.

"Hers are going to be big boots to fill – she's a wealth of information because of all of her experience, and she's definitely going to be missed."

Operations director John Maidin has worked with Mrs Kemp since 1975. He said: "She's given her all, whether it's been a jumble sale or a very large event, both in work and in her own time.

"She has been there for people and encouraged a very open and friendly relationship with our supporters."

Mrs Kemp helped to build up the branch's annual dog walk event at Wollaton Park, which is now one of the biggest fundraisers and helps to bring in around �13,000 a year.

But she is more modest about her accomplishments. "My main achievement is that I have made lots of lovely friends and I hope that I have helped some animals."

This includes her cross-terrier Kaiser, who Mrs Kemp adopted 14 years ago after he was abandoned in a carrier bag in Aspley as a six-week-old puppy.

Mrs Kemp said she now plans to spend time with her family and enjoy her home and garden.

But she said the branch was not rid of her quite yet.

"I'm not going to disappear into the blue yonder. It's going to be very hard to leave this behind, so I'm sure I'll still be popping in here to see everyone."

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503354/s/130d88d7/l/0L0Sthisisnottingham0O0Cnews0CBranch0Esecretary0Eretires0E40A0Eyears0ERSPCA0Carticle0E32762470Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

TV ratings Winter sun Moscow France Blackburn Rovers Savings