A VOLUNTEER who has dedicated nearly 50 years to helping animals has been nominated for a national award.

Muriel Bird is a committee member at Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary and has spent years fundraising for the organisation as well as giving talks at schools.

Dr Bird saw off thousands of other nominations to be selected as a finalist in the animal charity volunteer of the year category of the Petplan and ADCH (Association of Dogs and Cats Homes) Animal Charity Awards.

The former lecturer got involved with the Edenfield charity, which was set up to rescue horses being sent to France for meat, shortly after it was registered in 1969.

She said: “We saw an advert asking for blankets for the horses.

“At the time they were kept in old railway wagons. We used to get the blankets and then we ended up running shops in Stretford and Swinton.

“Now I go to schools and talk about the work the sanctuary does, how to care for animals and what people should do if they think an animal is being neglected.

“The children help fundraise and if they are old enough they can come and walk the dogs.”

“I go to the sanctuary every week and help out with whatever they need.”

Of her nomination, she said: “It was an absolute shock and surprise. I did not believe it at first. I rang them back and said ‘Are you sure?’”

The awards recognise the work of those in the sector.