MBE
For Founder Of Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre
THE
founder of the original organisation that pioneered the welfare
of retired racehorses said she felt deeply privileged to have
been awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours today (SATURDAY
14 JUNE).
Formby-born
Carrie Humble is the Director of the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation
Centre in Lancashire - the first charity in Europe dedicated to
the welfare, rehabilitation and re-homing of thoroughbred former
racehorses.
The
52-year-old received an MBE for her contribution to the welfare
of retired racehorses.
Carrie
& Hallo Dandy
The
Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre, which stages its annual open
day on Sunday 22 June, was founded by her 12 years ago.
Carrie
Humble said: "I am deeply privileged to receive this honour
and thank all the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre's many supporters
and those who believe in our work for the welfare of former racehorses.
I couldn't have done this alone for I am only as good as my team.
The award of this MBE is a fantastic achievement for all of us.
I am most grateful."
She
conceived of the idea of the centre in 1991 while preparing thoroughbred
stock for a friend's father in the UK after returning from 17
years in the United States.
Since
achieving charitable status in 1993 the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation
Centre has become widely recognised and respected as the leading
organisation in the field of racehorse rehabilitation and Carrie
is regarded as the pioneer of the movement.
Over
the ten years that the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre has
been operating, attitudes within racing have changed significantly.
What the Centre experienced initially as a reluctance to face
the issues of the ex-racehorse's problems have, through years
of hard work, started to be an acknowledged issue which the governing
bodies of racing are now addressing.
The
Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre is currently based at leased
premises in Nateby, north of Preston, Lancashire. In order to
secure the long-term future of this pioneering welfare organisation
the Centre's trustees and staff are committed to raising the funds
to purchase its own premises by the end of 2005.
The
stars of next Sunday's open day are two of the best-known retired
steeplechasers:
*Desert
Orchid touched the hearts of a nation in the 1980s and early 1990s
as he became a legend in his own racing career, winning the Cheltenham
Gold Cup, the Irish Grand National and, on no fewer than four
occasions, the Boxing Day King George VI Steeplechase.
*Hallo
Dandy, a permanent resident at the Centre, won the Grand National
in 1984. He is now 29 years old.
Visitors
on Sunday 22 June will be able to talk to the Centre's founder
Carrie Humble and chief trainer Julie Robinson about their work,
while keen racing fan and former Coronation Street actor Charlie
Lawson (Jim McDonald) will sign autographs and speak to fans of
the soap.
"Greyhounds
UK" - a campaign founded by actress Annette Crosbie - will
also be at the Centre with their dogs to show the work that is
done for rescued greyhounds.
*Gates
open at 12 noon on Sunday 22 June at the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation
Centre, Poplar Grove Farm, Humblescough Lane, Nateby, near Preston,
Lancashire. Admission is £5 for adults and £3 for
concessions, including children under 16 and the unwaged. Further
details can be obtained by calling 01995 605007.
**Directions
to the Centre: (from the north) leave the M6 at junction 33, take
the A6 south for five miles, then follow the yellow signs; (from
the south) leave the M6 at junction 32 and M55 at junction 1,
take the A6 north for seven miles, then follow the yellow signs.
.
