Meet the Team

Name: Jackie Abell

Role: Founder & Trustee

Favourite quote: “We’ll make a plan…!”

What do you do at Livingstone Lions?

Generally, I try to keep the ship afloat!  I work with the other Trustees to brainstorm and implement fundraising ideas, deal with any charity paperwork, and am usually the first contact for anyone who wants to get in touch.

What are your credentials/past experience, for working with Livingstone Lions?

I’m an animal behaviourist and social scientist and have previously worked as the Director of Research for the African Lion & Environmental Research Trust (2013-2018).  I’ve published scientific papers on African lions and my main interest is in the welfare and conservation of captive and wild African lions.  I’m also a member of the African Lion Working Group, and the IUCN specialist group Conservation Planning.

What do you like about being a Trustee for Livingstone Lions?

It’s an opportunity to ‘do’ something positive for lions that were dealt a bad deal because of the Covid-19 pandemic. We created this charity to help generate revenue for affected lions and promote knowledge and awareness of their plight.  I also get to work with some fabulous and supportive friends who I know, trust, and are great fun to work with.

What’s your background?

Originally from Manchester in the UK.  I’d love to say I followed a carefully-thought-through plan for my career, but I really didn’t.  This is probably why my favourite quote is what it is (“We’ll make a plan!”)!  I just went with what I enjoyed.  I obtained a degree in psychology at University of Dundee because I thought it might be interesting.  It was.  From there I went on to study for an MSc at Lancaster University in social psychology.  I then moved to Nottingham and studied for a PhD in psychology at Loughborough University (on mad cows – I’m not joking!) and a further MSc degree in Animal Behaviour from Manchester Metropolitan University, specialising in lions. I’ve held academic posts at various UK universities.  I’m currently an Associate Professor at Coventry University.

What are the values that drive you?

Stepping up, being fair and compassionate, being proactive and taking responsibility.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

Not sure ‘enjoy’ is the right word, but I ‘endure’ running!  I’m also not embarrassed to say I love a good boxset on television.  I could give you a long list here, but I’ll spare you.  However, if you want recommendations, let me know!

Name: Helen Rennie

Role: Trustee

Favourite quote: “In every situation, you choose your attitude.” Spoken by the late, great Boro FC commentator Ali Brownlee.

What do you do at Livingstone Lions?

I help to keep in touch with our cherished lion sponsors, liaising with Jackie and Kennedy, the Lions Manager in Livingstone, to provide monthly newsletters and the most gorgeous photographs of the lions. Along with the other Trustees, I also assist with fundraising and general support of the charity.

What are your credentials/past experience, for working with Livingstone Lions?

My first experience of working with lions was as a volunteer on a rehabilitation and release programme. I ended up visiting the project numerous times, both as a volunteer and eventually as a member of staff. My work involved fundraising and looking after donors and sponsors; both of which are relevant to my role within Livingstone Lions. I have an absolute passion for lions, for wildlife conservation, and for Africa in general.

What do you like about being a Trustee for Livingstone Lions?

Spending time with lions opened up a new aspect of life to me that I couldn’t have dreamt of before. It is an incredible thing to experience, but has ruined me for anything else! Lions have enhanced my life so much, I am proud and grateful for the opportunity to try my best to help to enhance theirs. And ‘banging on’ about lions to people who feel exactly the same is the BEST feeling.

What’s your background?

How long have you got?! I originally studied fashion design after leaving school, but realised when I stapled a pocket back onto a coat that sewing probably wasn’t for me. From then on, career-wise, I think you could call it a mixed bag, which included window dressing, graphic design, delivering Family Learning courses to parents, and working as ateaching assistant in a primary school (good training for dealing with naughty cubs). When I became involved in lion conservation in 2010 though, I realised that everything that had gone before that had just been treading water. Although I live in Middlesbrough in the North-east UK, my heart is forever in Africa. 

What are the values that drive you?

It’s nice to be nice. A decent enough mantra to live by, I think! Integrity means a lot to me, as well as treating people – and animals – with kindness and understanding. We’re all in this together after all.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

I adore writing. My dream is to be an author, but I’ll need to get a move on. I’ve been writing the same novel for the last 23 years! Maybe if I stopped reading other people’s books for long enough to work on my own? My biggest passion though is travelling and experiencing new cultures. Putting myself into situations outside my comfort zone is SO good for my soul – and my sanity.

Name: Claire O’Neill

Role: Trustee

Favorite quote: It is what it is…

What do you do at Livingstone Lions:

I keep the social media up to date and work on the website. I have also organized a couple of fundraisers namely the Stride for the Pride where we completed the same amount of steps it would take to walk from London to Livingstone and also the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.

What are your credentials/past experience for working with Livingstone Lions?

I volunteered working with these lions back in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Having met the lions we are working to help I feel I have a personal investment in these lions in particular so when the idea came up to create Livingstone Lions I couldn’t say no!

What do you like about being a Trustee for Livingstone Lions?

It makes me feel proud that what I am doing is having an impact and making a difference to the lions in Livingstone.

What is your background?

I am from Leeds in the UK. I have a interest in animal conservation and am a huge animal lover with two cats of my own, Cinder and Toffee.  Despite my love for animals it’s not the area I work in. I have worked in Business Support in law firms for around 20 years.

What are the values that drive you?

I like to think of myself as a problem solver and enjoy figuring things out.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

I enjoy eating out at different restaurants – Thai and Sushi being up there in my favourites! I do also go to the gym fairly regularly doing running and weights (although that’s more to balance how much I enjoy food rather than actually enjoying exercise!).