Meet the Team

Since a boy, Bob was always interested in the wildlife around him, and ready to care for any animal brought to him. 

He joined the scouts at age 11, and later became leader of one of the largest scout groups in the country.  Bob left to explore the world in 1969, travelling overland by Land Rover to Australia, eventually finding work in Perth where he met his future wife.  Bob took the first goats into care in 1989, with numbers increasing to 25 over the next ten years.  He finally secured Buttercups charity status in 2003 and remains heavily involved to this day.

Gower first joined the Buttercups gang in 2011, as part of a work experience placement and soon fell in love with all things goat. 

After a four year spell working at a local veterinary surgery, he returned to sanctuary life in January 2020 where he took up the role of general manager.

Arrived as a student in February 2013 and never left!  Across the years Matt has been involved in several rescues and loved the herd like a second family.  He has now moved into the ‘PCA’ role, responsible for (amongst other things) our quarterly newsletter and social media channels.

Ben joined the team in September 2019 after two years at Hadlow College and three years at the University of Chester.  He now leads the animal team in the daily love and care provided to all our goats, ensuring they are as healthy as possible.

Richard joined the Buttercups family in September 2016 to help with sanctuary maintenance.  He has since enjoyed learning all about these characterful animals and has developed into an animal based roll, whilst still fixing the things that they break!

A lifelong lover of animals, Debbie started volunteering at Buttercups during the pandemic in August 2020.  What started as just one morning a week soon became two, followed quickly by three, eventually becoming a full time member of the animal team in June 2021.

An animal lover through and through, Cameron has volunteered much of his time to a variety of animal charities, including Buttercups starting in April 2021.  Joining the team full time in October 2022, he now works tirelessly caring for our goats and making sure they are all happy and healthy.

Cathy has been passionate about animals all her life and after a degree in zoology, pursued every opening in animal care that came her way including at the RSPCA, local colleges and even zoo work.  She now feels that she has finally ‘come home’ in her part time roll at Buttercups, joining the team in 2018.

Sammy first joined Buttercups whilst she was studying Animal Management at college in 2013.  Several years later she is now a part-time member of staff, mainly focusing on our open days with her helpful and happy character.

Sue has been involved with the sanctuary since she became the guardian of David & Gordon in 2009 and was part of the volunteer team until she became a member of staff in July 2017.  She is now responsible for the membership and Gift Aid administration.

In recent years, two of our biggest and gentlest goats, Jeffers & Gazover, have become very fond of Sue.  They will go running whenever she appears, and can often be seen peering over the office door, hoping for a fuss or maybe even a banana!

Sue is a much-loved member of the team and is a caring, cheerful and slightly crazy individual.  When not working hard in the Buttercups office, she enjoys woodwork, textile craft and spending time with her grandchildren.

Claire first became involved with Buttercups fourteen years ago as a foster parent to two of our large, floppy-eared goats.  Many goats later, she is still fostering and still loving it!  During her time at the sanctuary, she became a Trustee and is currently Hon. Secretary to the Trustees.

When Claire retired from full-time work, she started volunteering for Buttercups twice a week, helping out in our office.  For many years she was our chief banker, along with running our guardianship scheme, as well as handling lots of paperwork which she continues to do today!

Claire’s favourite thing about Buttercups is being able to watch the goats gaining confidence and forming friendships with goats and people.  If she were to describe the sanctuary in one word, it would be ‘Magic’.

Hayley first discovered Buttercups through her love for goats, volunteering at the sanctuary before joining our staff.  With a background in bookkeeping and a deep appreciation for our hooved residents, she ensures our sanctuary's finances are in tip-top shap while cuddling the goats whenever possible.  When she isn't balancing the books, you'll find her sharing treats with our resident goats or capturing heart warming moments on camera.