Deadline looms to help Claire’s rural Oscar bid
SUPPORTING the community – and helping to raise more than £100,000 for charity – has seen Claire Dyson shortlisted for a ‘rural Oscar’.
Claire, from Cleeve Prior, owns and manages Claire Dyson Water Treadmill and Rehabilitation Centre and is a finalist in the Midlands Rural Enterprise category of the Countryside Alliance Awards 2024.
Over the past 12 years she has supported the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and has raised £110,000 for the life-saving service.
However, to stand a chance of winning the accolade, Claire needs the public’s support – the award is being decided by an online vote which closes on 31st March.
Claire said she’s keeping her head down, but was thrilled to be on the shortlist.
“It would be amazing to win but it would also be wonderful recognition of the team effort involved and the different people employed here at the rehabilitation centre, so it’s as much a testament to them,” she said.
“I started supporting the air ambulance and originally wanted to raise enough money to cover the cost of one flight, but I’ve just carried on raising money ever since because they have to go to emergencies in the countryside which are different to other places and might involve tractors and horses.
“I went to an open day at their Strensham airbase and there were so many bikers there because they really appreciate what the air ambulance does.”
Claire founded her business in 2003, helping with the rehabilitation of horses with injuries, which could be anything from spinal to foot problems or pelvic injuries in the case of racehorses.
“We’ve always done horses and this is one of the leading places to break the horses back in after surgery and because of what we can offer here we get some big name trainers and owners,” she explained.
“Sir Alex Ferguson is one and we’ve chatted together about management over the years. Olly Murphy also has horses that come here.”
The Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is encouraging the community to back Claire.
Charley Burke, fundraising executive for the charity, said: “The awards are fondly known as the rural Oscars, celebrating businesses and people who go the extra mile.
“We would love to see Claire Dyson receive the recognition she deserves as the rural enterprise winner, for her commitment to the rural business community and her unfaltering support of our charity over the last 12 years.”
Claire added: “I would like to win the award to raise awareness for the business and Midlands Air Ambulance.”
The Countryside Alliance Awards have five categories – village shop/post office, butcher, pub, rural enterprise and local food and drink – and Claire is not the only locals on the shortlists.
In the village shop/post office category for the Midlands both the Stores at Wootton Wawen and the Village Stores Long Compton are in the running.
The awards are now in their 17th year and are public-nomination-led, meaning customers put forward businesses in their area.
To vote for Claire or either of the shops, visit www. research.net/r/CAA24MBiz.
