Dogs Trust rewards flood heroes' amazing actions (From Gazette & Herald)

Dogs Trust rewards flood heroes' amazing actions

A BRAVE kennel owner has received an award for saving the lives of 29 dogs during North Yorkshire's devastating flash floods.

Mary Yoward - ne Griffiths - risked her life to rescue the animals as rising floodwater tore through the boarding kennels in Hawnby, near Helmsley, last June.

Mary and her husband Ray said they were delighted to receive the award from welfare charity the Dogs Trust.

The award is another highlight in 12 months of joy and tragedy for the couple.

They married in November last year, and were granted planning permission to rebuild their devastated home and kennels.

But Mary was diagnosed with cancer, and is undergoing a gruelling course of treatment.

Ray said: "There has been good and bad for us since the floods.

"But we are back in business, and the wheels are in motion to build the new kennels.

"Mary is quite buoyant, and doing very well.

"She is certainly looking forward to the new kennels.

"We didn't do it for an award - we did it for the dogs - but we are delighted with this recognition."

The couple have already reopened part of their kennels, and construction work is expected to begin within months.

Mary and Ray shared the award - for bravery and services to dogs - with staff members Julie Barr and Moira Jemson.

All four dived straight into the rising waters of the River Rye and saved as many dogs as they could.

At one point, Mary became trapped and had to be rescued herself, and flown to hospital in Northallerton.

Amanda Sands, of the Dogs Trust's Leeds-based rehoming centre, said the animals would have drowned had it not been for their actions.

Amanda travelled to Hawnby to present the award to Mary in person.

She said: "Mary and her team have shown great dedication to the dogs in their care despite a real danger to themselves.

"The fact that they saved so many dogs in such extreme conditions is amazing and on behalf of Dogs Trust I would like to express my admiration for their actions."

Updated: 15:38 Wednesday, February 01, 2006