BITTERSWEET celebrations are set for an Elmdon greyhound charity this weekend as it marks it 18th anniversary and will be saying goodbye to the founder and manager.
Daybreaks Trust Greyhound Rescue and Rehoming Charity will be saying a fond farewell to Ruth Price who set up the charity in 2006 and has helped 3,443 greyhounds find their forever homes.
She will be handing over the lead to Luci Foulkes at the charity’s 18th birthday celebration on Sunday (June 30) at the Coventry Road kennels from 11am until 3pm.
There will be plenty on offer at the free event including a fun dog show and stalls, visitors are asked to park at Birmingham Exiles Rugby Club on Old Damson Road.
Ruth said: “I always said 10 years was my cut off, but eight years after that I’ve finally decided it’s time to move on.
“Luci has got the energy and enthusiasm she will carry this forward. I said would never step down until we had the provision in place to continue and she is the right person to do just that.
“I feel I have made a difference to a lot of lives it has been very tough emotionally and physically.
“It’s very demanding on emotions but the dogs make it worthwhile and the people we have around us – that’s what keeps us going.”
The charity started because of Ruth’s first dog, who’s running name was DayBreaks Beauty, and the love and devotion Ruth felt after adopting her.
Ruth said she went from someone who didn’t want a dog to where she is now because of her.
While working as a medical secretary Ruth volunteered Retired Greyhound Charity to help re-home those who were deemed past their prime in racing terms.
She said the trainer whose kennels they were using stepped down and the charity was left with nowhere to operate from.
But in a stroke of luck Ruth heard on the grapevine about someone who owned some old racing kennels and made some enquiries.
She said: “I had no experience in running kennels and went with it.
“My motto is ‘never say never’ and I knew how to look after a pet greyhound and I truly thought couldn’t thought it couldn’t be that much different – how wrong I was.
“But over the years it has been worth it.
“We have had a lot of volunteers at the kennels who help with every part of running the kennels.
“Over the years we have not just changed the life of dogs but transformed the lives of volunteers we are connected with Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust and are a place for people who need help to come to.”
Luci previously worked with the dog unit at Border Force and says she’s looking forward to her new challenge.
She said: “I am looking forward to getting a grasp of greyhounds and making a difference not only to the dogs but also society.
“I really hope I do Daybreaks justice, the place will be very different without Ruth here and I want to carry on the good work she has done over the years.”
