In memory of our valued friend, committed volunteer and wonderful trustee Valerie Croxford.  Valerie Croxford, who sadly died in March 2021, was a passionate supporter of Animal Samaritans, and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her. We’d like to share some insights into her life and take some time to remember her achievements. Born in Stoke Newington, North West London in 1935, Valerie went to the East Lane Secondary Modern School, Wembley, and trained as a secretary before joining Sun Life Assurance Company in the City of London. Here she met Alan and they married in 1955. Val lived a happy, active, fulfilling life, bringing up two sons – Stephen and Adrian – and enjoying hobbies ranging from dancing, cinema, international travel, skiing, and of course caring for animals. She loved dogs, and spent most of her adult life committed to rescuing dogs in need and supporting fellow dog owners While living at Meopham, Kent, Valerie worked for many years for Bowmaker Finance Ltd and she continued when the company was taken over by Lloyds Bowmaker. One role involved repossessing vehicles which hadn’t been paid for. However, she was always very proud of her own cars and her pride and joy was owning a very sporty burgundy TR7 sports car.

When she retired from work, Valerie and her husband Alan began to home board friends’ dogs. This led on to her animal rescue work with Animal Samaritans, something she was truly passionate about.

Her commitment to the charity often involved call outs at all hours of the day and night. This included Christmas 1997, when she cancelled a family meal to rescue a dog, reported to be mistreated. She discovered the animal chained up in a garden in freezing conditions, with no food or water while the owners were away for Christmas.

Rescuing dogs was just part of Valerie’s commitment to Animal Samaritans; she also helped with fundraising and coordinating membership. We were delighted when she became a trustee.

Valerie was an excellent trainer of dogs, and competed all over the country with her dogs Trudie, Blue and Teddy. Adrian and his wife Linda often accompanied Val to weekend dog shows and have many fond memories of Val and her trusty towing caravan on these fun-filled trips.

In 2015, Valerie’s health began to decline. She moved to Leicestershire to live with Steve and his wife Yvonne, and enjoyed her last years in this warm family home.

She was being looked after by Claire, who had started out as Valerie’s carer, but quickly became a family friend, who had a shared interest in dogs.

Valerie spent her final days surrounded by her family, succumbing to cancer on 9th March 2021.

Everyone at Animal Samaritans will remember her fondly and with huge respect for the dedication and hard work she put into the charity. She will be greatly missed by us all.