A tribute to Frank Tebbutt

2nd December 2022

It is with deepest sorrow that Oak Tree Animals’ Charity was informed of the sad passing of Frank Tebbutt, their Honorary President, on Wednesday 23rd November.

Frank Tebbutt was a huge animal lover and a core part of the Charity throughout his life. He first became involved with the Charity in 1953 when he was asked by Alfred Brisco, the Director at the time, to become a volunteer.

After ten years as a committed volunteer, Frank was asked to join the staff team as General Secretary, taking responsibility for the small animal section and developing the Charity's veterinary service. Frank worked alongside Alfred Brisco for eight years, both being strong and active advocates of animal welfare on both a local and national platform.

Following Alfred Brisco's death, Frank was appointed by the Board to succeed him and carry on his work as Organising Secretary. Frank worked tirelessly, supported by his wife Enid, to improve animal welfare across the UK and raise much needed funds to help animals in our region.

In November 1979, Frank went with five members of the Executive Committee to view Oak Tree Farm and they decided that this would be the home of the Charity, which was by now too big to be comfortably situated in Carlisle city centre.

Frank's extensive network of contacts proved invaluable to raise funds and develop Oak Tree to make it suitable for the animals in the care of the Charity. Frank's faith kept him going and he and his team established our current home, Oak Tree Farm. He continued to make a difference to hundreds of animals' lives right up until his retirement in 2002.

Frank remained a keen advocate for Oak Tree Animals’ Charity and became the Honorary President in 2016. Speaking a year later, he said, "I hope that the charity continues to be as successful as it was in the 40 years I spent as General Secretary. I lend my support to the charity and believe that the changes that have been made over the past year have allowed it to build on my work and the work of Alfred Brisco to improve the lives of animals."

Caroline Johnson, General Manager, on behalf of the Charity said “Frank Tebbutt’s legacy will live on forever at Oak Tree Animals’ Charity and the animals we help every day. We offer our deepest condolences to Enid, Alison, Christopher and to all his family and friends. We hope that they find comfort in all that he has achieved for animals throughout his life. His hard work and dedication to animals has helped build our Charity to be the beacon for animal welfare that it is today. He will be sorely missed by us all.”