Ipswich Bearded Collie charity head wins a national award

Shirley Hinchliffe was surprised to learn that she had been shortlisted for a national award for dog charities.

The award ceremony took place on Wednesday where Mrs Hinchliffe won the Breed Rescue Coordinator of the Year - which was sponsored by the Kennel Club and Agria Pet Insurance.

She said: "I still cannot believe it. I am totally overwhelmed by this result." 

Mrs Hinchliffe, right, said she still cannot believe she won the award. (Image: Beardies in Need)

However, she was not just happy for herself, but also for Bobby - a dog she had recently rehomed - who won Best Rescue Dog of the Year on the same night. 

Bobby is a blind 14-year-old dog and was sheltered in Manchester Dog Home, from where Mrs Hinchliffe found a new home for him last year. 

She started her charity Beardies in Need in 1980 when a dog was put down in Ipswich after not being able to find a loving home.

"We said this cannot happen again, and so we started our charity to rescue Bearded Collies," she added. 

Since then, the charity has expanded out of Ipswich and runs throughout the country, pairing dogs with the right people who will take care of them. 

Additionally, it hosts Christmas parties and picnics across Suffolk, where not only Bearded Collies but all dogs come to enjoy some fresh air.

"Recently we went to Jimmy's Farm. So we went, we fed the dogs, let them play and then explored the farm with them," the founder said. 

Beardies in Need is funded by donations, direct debits and occasionally hosting auctions.

The award could go a long way in helping Beardies in Need. (Image: Beardies in Need)

Mrs Hinchliffe said that an award like this would go a long way in helping push the charity further. 

Agria Pet Insurance told the charity that as a part of winning the award, the owners of any dog that it rehomes would get free pet insurance for five weeks. 

Additionally, if the new owners chose to extend the insurance then Beardies in Need would get a commission from it.