Tributes paid to animal lover and art teacher, Sarah Lewis

Sarah Lewis, originally from Sussex, dedicated her life to protecting animals and teaching art to others.

She very sadly died on April 24, at 57-years-old.

Karen Kelland, Sarah’s sister, said: “From a very young age, she was a naturalist.

“She was very keen on making sure that animals are well looked after and abolishing fox hunting.”

Sarah’s childhood love for animals led her to work towards protecting them as an adult.

On one occasion, having had a successful interview for a position with marine conservation organization Sea Shepherd UK, Sarah had to call her new boss to say she would not make her first day of work.

She explained that she was in court that day for some misdemeanours involving the rescue of animals.

It was the beginning of something special, as her new boss, Gerry Lewis, would go on to become Sarah’s husband.

The couple were supporters of Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre, near Beith, and spent time volunteering, rescuing animals and helping to keep things running.

Gaynor Christie, co-founder of Hessilhead, said: “Sarah was an exceptionally kind person.

“She was also an excellent hunt saboteur.

“She could play the hunting horn better than the huntsmen, attracting the hounds to herself.”

If Sarah and Gerry rescued a fox they would bring it to Hessilhead to be cared for.

Once, Sarah followed a fox being chased by a hunt into a barn.

She scooped up the terrified animal as the hounds bore down, putting it into her rucksack and brought it to the rescue centre.

In 2014, Gerry was killed in a car crash just months before the couple’s silver anniversary.

Speaking after Alisdair Grant was jailed for causing Gerry’s death, Sarah said it ‘absolutely wrenched my life apart’.

The trauma of being in the crash and the loss of her husband led her to discover the services available at Morven Day Services, run by CrossReach.

Having attended for a time, Sarah was asked to join the committee and was named CrossReach’s Volunteer of the Year in 2018, running the centre’s art group.

She shared her story about her own experience with mental health and the support she had found at Morven.

She was forthright in sharing with the Parliamentary Outreach Team her experience that people recovering from mental health problems still face stigma and prejudice.

You can donate to a fundraiser set up by Sarah’s niece, Alison Seren, for Hessilhead in her memory at justgiving.com/rememberingsarahlewis.

Sarah's dog Squidge has been left in the care of Hessilhead.

Gaynor said: “She really did love Hessilhead. She requested that Squidge, her little border terrier, stay here.”