Trustees’ Week 2026: Celebrating the Volunteers Who Help Lead the GSPCA
As part of Trustees’ Week, the GSPCA is taking the opportunity to thank and recognise the dedicated volunteer trustees and committee members who help guide the charity and support its mission of promoting kindness and preventing cruelty to animals across Guernsey.
Since 1873, the GSPCA has been led by a committee elected through its membership. These volunteers give their time, expertise and experience to help ensure the charity continues to meet its aims and objectives, supporting animals in need and helping shape the future of animal welfare in the Bailiwick.
The GSPCA's most recent Annual General Meeting was held in the summer of 2026 and the current committee members are:
John Knight BVetMed., MRCVS - GSPCA President
John is a Director at The Vetcare Centres, working in all aspects of veterinary medicine and surgery. He has lived and worked in Guernsey since 1988 and has happily raised his family on the island he now considers home.
John has been an active member of the General Committee since 2000 and served as President for over 15 years. With more than 30 years of professional experience in animal welfare, his consultancy services are sought internationally.
Alongside his work in Guernsey, John is a member of the Executive Board of the Anglo-Italian Society for the Protection of Animals and serves as Senior Veterinary Consultant to the Born Free Foundation.
Adele Stevens - GSPCA Vice President
Adele has always had a passion for animals and has served on the GSPCA committee for more than 25 years.
Before her retirement, Adele was a successful antiques dealer and collector. Outside of the charity, she enjoys Scottish dancing, regularly takes part in bridge games and continues her lifelong interest in animals and animal welfare.
Steve Ford - GSPCA Committee Member and Ambulance Warden
Steve moved to Guernsey in June 2009 to join the Emergency Ambulance and Rescue Service as Deputy Chief Ambulance Officer and now serves as the Airport's Emergency Planning Officer.
Prior to relocating to the island, Steve spent 15 years with the RSPCA. Five years were served as an Inspector across the New Forest, Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Central London. In 1999, he was promoted to Chief Inspector, spending a decade in Derbyshire.
During his career with the RSPCA, Steve specialised in wildlife crime investigations and tackling illegal activities such as dog fighting and cockfighting. He was also a member of regional Swift Water Rescue, Mountain Rescue and Offshore Rescue Teams, assisting during major incidents including the 2000 floods, the Milford Haven oil spill and the Foot and Mouth outbreak.
Steve became involved with the GSPCA committee in 2003 and has also volunteered as a GSPCA Ambulance Warden. When not involved with emergency services or the charity, his time is often spent with his family, including his children Angus and Arabella, alongside the family's pets Smudge the tortoiseshell cat, Puff the bearded dragon and a collection of tropical fish.
In his spare time Steve enjoys cycling, kayaking, birdwatching and fly fishing, although he is always keen to return the fish safely to the water.
Charisma Lyall - GSPCA Committee Member
Charisma brings a wealth or legal experience to the GSPCA and was first co-opted in June 2023 and was elected onto the Committee in July 2023.
Ali Brouard - GSPCA Secretary and Committee Member
Ali was first co-opted onto the GSPCA as our Secretary with a wealth of experience to benefit the GSPCA in the role in February 2025 and was elected onto the Committee at the following AGM in the Summer of 2026.
Paul Buckle - GSPCA Committee Member
Paul joined the GSPCA as a volunteer dog walker earlier this year and was then co-opted on to the GSPCA Committee in March 2026 bringing a wealth of legal experience and was elected onto the committee at the AGM in the Summer.
Matt Godfrey - GSPCA Treasurer
Matt is the newest Committee member and was co-opted in June 2026 and shortly after elected at the GSPCA.. Matt took over from Louise Gambrell who we have to make a mention in this dedication as she gave over 5 years of dedicated service as treasurer and she hasn’t completely left as she is still helping with some communications in regards the Big Build. We are delighted Matt has joined the GSPCA team as our treasurer and has already been helping make further improvements to our systems.
Supporting Animal Welfare Through Volunteering
The GSPCA Committee members join a dedicated team of staff, volunteers and supporters who help care for thousands of animals every year.
Trustees and committee members play an important role in ensuring the charity remains strong, sustainable and focused on its charitable objectives. Their expertise helps support governance, financial oversight, strategic planning, animal welfare standards and the long-term future of the Society.
Steve Byrne, GSPCA Manager, said:
"Trustees' Week is a wonderful opportunity to thank our committee members for the time, dedication and expertise they freely give to the charity. As volunteers themselves, they play a vital role in helping guide the GSPCA and ensuring we continue to provide the best possible care for animals while planning for the future. We are incredibly grateful for their commitment and support."
“We sadly saw Louise Ganbrell step down as our treasurer this year after over 5 years of incredible service, but we are delighted to welcome Matt Godfrey into the role and already proving a huge asset to the GSPCA.”
The GSPCA is always keen to hear from people who would like to get involved and support animal welfare in Guernsey. Volunteer opportunities range from helping at events, supporting fundraising activities, assisting in the animal shelter and wildlife hospital, undertaking ambulance wardening duties, helping with administration and much more.
Anyone interested in volunteering can register and find out more by visiting:
https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers
The GSPCA would like to thank all past and present committee members, trustees, volunteers, staff, members and supporters whose dedication has helped protect and care for animals across Guernsey since 1873.
Check out more on the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal – https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspcabiggestbuildappeal
To donate to our work and the other animals in our care https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)
To see animals looking for new homes
https://www.gspca.org.gg/animals
To see our youtube channel and lots of videos please visit https://www.youtube.com/@TheGuernseySPCA
To see events, ways to support and animals in need please see our latest blog https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog
Upcoming events
- Dog First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Thursday 12th November 2026 Ref – Dog11/11 https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/training-courses
- Cat First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Thursday 26th November 2026 Ref – Cat2/12 https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/training-courses
- Possible Christmas Themed Animal Discovery Trail November/December 2026 to be confirmed with possible Ball
- World Wildlife Conservation Day 4th December 2026
- Festive Tours December/January 2026/7 to be confirmed
- Sidneys Sponsored Events - Grease and Dirty Dancing Saturday 10th April 2027
Steve continued “There are many ways to support the work of the GSPCA.”
“Our BIGGEST BUILD is now underway and we are desperately looking for support and to help in anyway please do get in touch and check out this link https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-biggestbuild-begins-demolition-underway-%E2%80%93-buying-brick-sponsorship-can-you-help .”
“To become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor donating each month to help the hundreds of animals in our care which you can do by downloading this form - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf or to become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form for your business to sponsor animals in our care each year please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf .”
“To think of helping animals and our work in your legacy or will please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gifts-wills-and-funding .”
“For those from those want to give CSR time and skills to those wanting to help sponsor or support something from our Wish List at the GSPCA http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list .”
“If your group or business would like to find out about spending a day at the Shelter please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/corporate-and-group-days “
“For other ways your business can help us here at the GSPCA please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/how-your-business-can-help-gspca-corporate-sponsorship “
“If you would like to volunteer then to find out more details here -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers or to complete the volunteer application form please check out https://service.sheltermanager.com/asmservice?account=gspca&method=online_form_html&formid=14 .”
"We also have vacancies at the GSPCA and to find out more please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/vacancies ."
"For lots of ways to support our work please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-years ."
“To visit our facebook page check out this link please click here .”
“To visit our x page please click here .”
“Thank you for your support.”
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