Vale Wildlife Hospital founder honoured for dedication
The Gloucestershire-based founder of an animal rescue centre is to receive a lifetime achievement award for the 26 years she has spent saving wildlife.
Caroline Gould, 52, from Tewkesbury, treats up to 5,000 casualties a year at the Vale Wildlife Hospital she founded in Beckford, Worcestershire.
The award is being presented by the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
"It is a huge honour and really an award for the many people who help or work at Vale," said Ms Gould.
The rescue centre began in 1984 when a local vet asked her to look after an injured owl.
Now the wildlife hospital employs 12 people and runs a 24-hour service offering help and advice on sick, injured or orphaned British wildlife.
"We are very pleased to be able to reward Caroline's amazing dedication over so many years and wanted to recognise her outstanding contribution to animal welfare with our lifetime achievement award," said Robbie Marsland, UK director of IFAW.
Ms Gould was nominated by TV vet Emma Milne who formerly treated some of the animals at Vale.