MBE Honour For RSPCA Chief Inspector
| MBE Honour For RSPCA Chief Inspector RSPCA chief inspector Lee Hopgood is to be appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen's birthday honours this year, for his outstanding services to animal welfare. |  |
The announcement follows 14 years of remarkable work for the charity, and coincides with the publication today of the Queen's Birthday Honours List 2008.
"I am absolutely delighted to be awarded this honour by Her Majesty the Queen," said chief inspector Lee Hopgood. "I was speechless when I received the news, and for those that know me that's a feat in itself!"
Lee (40), chief inspector for Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire, headed up the RSPCA's regional ground response to last year's summer floods. He and his officers worked closely with the emergency services to rescue both needy animals and people, and to deliver fresh water to farmers, boarding kennels and small holdings cut off from the mains supply by the floods.
Lee has also recently worked at the sharp end of the outbreaks of foot and mouth disease and avian flu - as well as equally challenging day-to-day work, such as investigating those suspected of harming animals.
He grew up on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent where his only direct involvement with animals was earning pocket money working on a farm during the lambing season. Since joining the RSPCA in 1994, he's had to deal with animals of all shapes and sizes - and their owners. Lee made the change to animal welfare after serving with the Grenadier Guards for 10 years.
"I joined the RSPCA because it appeared to be an honourable career which would keep me active, I felt that it was an area where a person could make a difference, not just to animals but to people's lives too," said Lee.
"I experienced many things in the forces, some good, some very unpleasant. The army gave me the skills to deal with unpleasant people and unpleasant situations, something all RSPCA officers face regularly."
Nigel Yeo, RSPCA Director of Animal Welfare Operations, said: "This honour is a fitting recognition of Lee's unwavering commitment to preventing animal cruelty and neglect, however difficult the circumstances.
"Through his professionalism and devotion, Lee commands the respect of all around him, and everyone at the RSPCA is delighted that he is being awarded an MBE for his services to animal welfare. I pass on my personal thanks and congratulations."
Lee said: "This honour is directly reflective of the dedication, hard work and professionalism to be found within the RSPCA inspectorate and the charity as a whole. I have a first class team of inspectors and animal collection officers covering Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire who all work with me to deliver the best service we can for animal welfare."
Lee lives in Worcestershire with his dog Kheta - who was rescued four years ago by the RSPCA weighing just half that of an average two-year old Huskie. Her previous owners were prosecuted by the charity for causing Kheta and two other Huskies to suffer, but Kheta has since made a full recovery.
Lee's partner Claire Brown is a local veterinary surgeon.
Added on: 16/06/08. Views: 324
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