Husky welfare charity is tragic John's legacy

The dream of a Pendle dog lover has finally become reality, nine months after his sudden death.
John Duxbury is pulled along with two of his huskies.John Duxbury is pulled along with two of his huskies.
John Duxbury is pulled along with two of his huskies.

Sibes and Sled Dogs Husky Welfare, set up by John Duxbury in 2012, has now been granted charity status.

John Duxbury (55) died in August at home in Nelson, just 10 days before the opening of a husky training track at land off Greenfield Road in Colne.

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His dream was to see the group given charity status, a moment now realised by the Charity Commission.

His widow Christine Duxbury said the news was a bitter-sweet moment for herself and the volunteers at the centre.

Christine said: “Achieving charity status was one of John’s main wishes, but paperwork was never one of his strong suits.

“The new administration team has worked tirelessly to make it a reality. When our application was approved I have to say it was a very emotional moment.

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“There were tears of joy and sadness. I’m sad that John wasn’t around to see it.

“Gaining charity status means we now bid for much more funding.

“We have been working very hard and this is John’s legacy.”

One of the charity’s priorities is to have electricity installed on the site which is currently run from a generator.

Mr Duxbury set up the charity when work dried up in the building trade, and his work helped re-home hundreds of dogs.

The organisation holds regular husky walks and has grown to have 6,000 members.

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