![[ad] Blackbaud. Buyer's guide. Finding your mission's perfect fundraising CRM just got easier. Get the guide.](https://fundraising.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/blackbaud-crm-728x90-20240513.jpeg)
Animal charity chief honoured with an OBE
Howard Lake | 22 June 2006 | Newswire
22 June 2006 – A man who devotes his life to rescuing animals, from dancing bears on the streets of India to a whale stranded in the centre of London, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in recognition of his services to animal welfare.
Alan Knight from Dallington in Sussex is Head of International Animal Rescue (IAR) and Chairman of its sister charity British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR.) He has had a lifelong love of animals, and gave up running the family optical components company in Hastings to take up the reins at International Animal Rescue in Uckfield some five years ago. He is a staunch vegetarian, and passionately outspoken in support of animals of all kinds.
On hearing the news of the OBE, Alan said: I am thrilled to receive this award, not only because it is a tremendous personal honour, but more importantly because it reflects the importance attached to animals and animal welfare in this country. It is a clear indication of the nation’s great affection for animals and wildlife that I have received such recognition.
I accept it not only for myself but as a tribute to the teams of people who work with me on many projects to save animals around the world – and on behalf of the animals we are all trying to protect. One individual can inspire and motivate others, but it is only by joining forces and working as a team that we can be truly effective in the field of animal rescue. It is only by working closely with our Indian partners Wildlife SOS that we have been able to rescue more than 200 dancing bears off the streets of India and are on course eventually to stamp out the ghastly practice for good.
I hope this honour will lead to greater public awareness of the suffering of animals worldwide and give them a stronger voice. It recognises the importance, not only of conserving entire species, but also of rescuing and relieving the suffering of individual animals. Whether they are dancing bears on the streets of India, stranded marine mammals around the UK coastline, or unwanted cats and dogs left to fend for themselves on the streets, I believe that all are equally deserving of our protection.
An OBE will give me a better platform for raising animal welfare issues and speaking out against animal abuse. For example, this week we have heard from the International Whaling Commission meeting in St Kitts that Japan and other pro-whaling countries are a significant step closer to resuming commercial whaling. This is a huge threat to the world’s whale populations and the British public and the British government must do all in their power to protest against it.
I make no apology that I intend to make use of this award at every opportunity to further the cause of animal welfare, and to encourage people to be generous in their support of the charities that I represent: International Animal Rescue, working extensively in India and other developing countries to improve the lot of wild and domestic animals, and British Divers Marine Life Rescue, a body of volunteers saving whales, dolphins, seals and other marine wildlife in distress around the UK shores. IAR and BDMLR have proved that huge amounts can be achieved with passion, determination and dedication – and the support of the animal-loving UK public.â€
Ends.
For further information and images contact Lis Key, IAR on 01825 767688/ mobile 07957 824379. li*@ia*.uk
Related posts
Who gives? Del Boy or Sex and the City’s Carrie? More poor people than rich give to charity
Land Rover Joins 2013 Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup as Official Team Partner
Children’s Heart Surgery Fund now operates with thankQ
Adoption charity names new business development manager
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.