Marie
Branch Manager
Marie is our new Branch Manager, who began in December 2023, to oversee the management and finances of the Branch, both at our RSPCA animal shelter, Bluebell Ridge, and also our Bexhill charity shop. Marie has a background in the charity sector, working with homeless young people through accommodating them in the homes of volunteers from the local community. With an entrepreneurial eye, Marie also runs a mobile gin bar at local events, parties, and weddings.
Originally from Cheshire, Marie has lived and worked in a variety of places, including New Zealand.
Kate
Head of Cats
Kate started as a volunteer in 2004 and became a permanent full time member of staff in 2009. Kate oversees the Veterinary care and behavioural rehabilitation of the cats. Kate enjoys her role as Cattery Supervisor, helping and advising the staff and volunteer team in looking after the cats. She has two Bluebell Ridge cats at home, Tiny (pictured) and Murray.
Gemma
Deputy Head of Cats
Gemma started as a volunteer in 2002 and then quickly became a member of staff. She now works part time due to having a family. Gemma uses her experience and knowledge and gets involved with the daily running of the centre. She has a lovely cat called Willow.
Karen
Animal Care Assistant
Karen joined the team at Bluebell Ridge as an animal care assistant in 2016. Prior to this Karen worked for 8 years at an RSPCA Centre in Lodnon. Karen currently has 3 rescue cats Frank, Tucker and Kip and a dog called Winnie who helps out at Bluebell Ridge with dog testing our cats to help them find their loving forever homes.
Karen
Animal Care Assistant
Karen previously volunteered and worked at the centre from 2005 until 2011 and she returned in October 2016 as a Animal Care Assistant. She has two cats called Riley and Jojo from Bluebell Ridge, as well as two dogs named Bear and Bella who is a Pets as Therapy dog.
Bekki
Office and Rehoming Administrator
Bekki is our Office and Rehoming Administrator, she joined the team in March 2022 as an Animal Care Assistant. She has worked in the animal rescue and rehabilitation sector for over 7 years. Bekki has a degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and enjoys all aspects of her role. She leads the admin and rehoming side of the cattery and thrives on finding every single one of our cats their purr-fect forever home. Bekki has 2 dogs; Darwin and Archie and a naughty tortie Khaleesi.
Kay
Animal Care Assistant
Kay is an animal care assistant at the centre and she joined the team in October 2023. She has a first class degree in animal behaviour and welfare and has volunteered with various animal charities since the age of 15. Kay's favourite aspects of the job are rehabilitation, learning each cat's personality and matching cats with the perfect adopter. She adopted one cat of her own from Bluebell Ridge called Stevie!
Shannon
Animal Care Assistant
Shannon is a new arrival on our team. She is an Animal Care Assistant who started in March 2025. Shannon is a fantastic addition to the team and has a special skill with photography. Shannon is using her photography skills to take wonderful photos of the cats.
Karen
Chair of the Board
Karen is Chair of the Branch and also Chair of the South East Regional Board of the RSPCA and has been a Trustee for 6 years. Karen has always been passionate about animal welfare and saw the RSPCA as an obvious choice when looking to become a Trustee after working for 30+ years in the logistics industry. Having a first class honours degree in Psychology and Criminology Karen is currently studying for a masters degree in serious and violent crime. She shares her home with her husband and two rescue dogs Buddy and Bella.
Nicki
Vice Chair of the Board
Nicki has always loved animals and has many of her own - including alpacas, sheep, chickens, and dogs. These animals make up Fisherwood Farm - which is in Robertsbridge. Here, Carol (Nicki's wife), and Nicki now run a business where guests can come and visit the animals whilst enjoying a homemade afternoon tea.
It is Nicki's experience of charity work, animal welfare, and having a genuine passion for animals that led her to take on a Trustee role within the RSPCA in 2019. Nicki has been Vice Chair of the Sussex East & Hastings Branch since 2023.
As well as Nicki's animals, she love going on long walks in the countryside with Billy, her rescue Collie, writing childrens story books, yoga, and dancing on the beach!
Anthea
Branch Secretary
In 2018 Anthea became an RSPCA Branch Member, with a view to eventually becoming a Trustee after attending a Trustee recruitment event at Bluebell Ridge, and she began volunteering at the cattery, helping out in the office and reception with admin, filing, and with fundraising events and Open Days.
Anthea has lived in St Leonards since 1987. After a career spanning 40 years working as a nurse in the NHS locally, she retired in 2018.
In addition to her work within the RSPCA, Anthea joined the National Trust volunteer team at Bodiam Castle in 2015, where she takes visitors on tours of the castle.
Anthea enjoys a variety of styles of dance. She attends dance classes 2-3 times a week, and Zumba classes twice weekly, in addition to various social events.
Catherine
Trustee
Catherine McManus is a small business marketing consultant, with over 30 years' experience, passionate about helping small business owners and charities to drive business growth. Her love of animals is why she has chosen to support RSPCA Sussex East & Hastings and she has two geriatric cats of her own; Simon and Millie. Catherine is driven to make a positive difference and focuses her attention on fundraising, business development and marketing for the branch.
Stefan
Trustee
Stefan Blakiston Moore has worked across animal welfare policy, campaigns and external affairs for over five years following nearly a decade working in Westminster. His work also includes overseeing the writing of the Cats and Their Stats Report, the UK’s largest survey of cat owners, which offers insight into cat acquisition, cat welfare and owner perceptions – this has led to him regularly leading discussions within the animal welfare sector, taking part in media interviews and speaking at conferences. He lives in Eastbourne with his family, including his cat Neeve.
.jpg)
Dave
Trustee
Dave started as a Trustee back in 2016 following an appeal. Since then, Dave has taken an active role in the running of the Bluebell Ridge CRC.
Dave joined because of his love of cats – Dave had 2 cats from BBR within the first 6 months of it opening and had a second pair back in 2018 (Clara and Amber) who have since bought their own internet domain name and email addresses.
Dave is the computer/tech guru and has supported the team endlessly with tech assistance.
Jo
Finance and Administration Officer
Jo is a fantastic team member who works both as our Finance and Administration Officer and one of our amazing Charity Shop Assistants.
Jo is a pivotal member of the team and has supported the smooth running of the branch for years. We are so pleased to have her on our Team!
Lorna
Charity Shop
Lorna is one of our wonderful Charity Shop Staff. She has done a brilliant job running our Charity Shop in Bexhill.
We are so pleased to have Lorna as one of our crucial Charity Shop Team Members.
Sam
Charity Shop Staff
Sam is one of our wonderful Charity Shop team members. She covers the shop when Lorna and Jo have annual leave and does an absolutely fantastic job.
We are so pleased to have Sam as one of our crucial Charity Shop Team Members.