Sue marks her last day as RSPCA Shop Manager in Attleborough after an incredible 24 years

Following a remarkable 24 years of service as our Attleborough Shop Manager, the brilliant Sue Shilling will be retiring from her role this month, along with her husband Michael – both leaving a legacy as two huge community champions in Attleborough, who have dedicated much of their lives to supporting the RSPCA.

Sue first started working at the RSPCA Norwich charity shop in Attleborough in 2000, when the shop first opened.

When asked why she initially wanted to work for the charity, Sue said: “I wanted to work for the RSPCA because I am a huge supporter of the work they do, it’s tremendous, and I’m absolutely mad about animals. I’d do anything for animals, my whole world revolves around them – even my house is decked out animal-themed!

Sue has seen an incredible 95 people volunteer at the shop during her 24 years as manager, including her husband Michael, who has worked 40 hours a week for the last 10 years as a volunteer.

The couple, who at one point had 4 labradors, now have Theo the fox red labrador – who has his own fan club in Attleborough. Theo has been part of the shop since he was just 12 weeks old, and now at aged 6, he brings in up to 60 people a day into the shop just to say hello to him.

“He really does have his own fan club,” says Sue. “It’s great because they come in to say hello to Theo, but they also shop while they’re here, and drop off donations. Everyone in the town just loves him.

“It’s one of my favourite parts of the job – the community feel. It’s a small town and everyone knows each other, and you really get the sense that people want to help not only the charity shop but also the RSPCA Branch as a whole.”

Sue has gone above and beyond her job role over the years, hosting a range of fundraising events including 6 fashion shows, quizzes, carol singing, and tombolas to raise extra funds for animals in need across Norfolk and Suffolk, along with the support of the rest of our retail team.

Sue added: “The staff and volunteers at Attleborough are like one big family. I treat them all like my extended family, and I believe that you get more out of people if you treat them with kindness and respect.”

“I have honestly loved every minute of my job role, and I’m really sad to be leaving, but it’s the right time for my husband and I to settle down and begin our retirement together.”