About Us

Ukrainiain Rough Collie Aid - UK Charity

In late 2022, Flora Scheck issued a call for support to provide essential equipment for residents of Kiev, and the community in the US and the UK responded generously. By April 2023, it became evident that the Rough Collie breed and their owners were in urgent need of assistance. Flora took the initiative to establish the Rough Collie sponsorship program, initially assisting a few dogs. Jules Pearson stepped in to oversee payments in the UK and Europe, as the number of Rough Collies requiring aid continued to rise. Recognizing the growing need, Jules founded the Ukrainian Rough Collie Aid (URCA) charity in the UK to streamline fundraising efforts and offer grants where necessary. Meanwhile, Flora founded Collies without Borders (CWB), a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization in the US. Through dedicated charitable programs and fundraising endeavors, URCA and CWB aim to positively impact the lives of Rough Collies and their owners.

Photo of Jules Pearson with her arms around two Rough Collies

Jules Pearson BEM

I grew up with German Shepherds and Newfoundlands. When I met my husband he introduced me to the Rough Collie breed and it has been my dog of choice for the last 29 years. I connected with Flora when she put out a call for arms and have been supporting her fundraising efforts since late 2022. I wanted to set something up on this side of the pond, so I have established a registered charity here in the UK (Ukrainian Rough Collie Aid) and will be working in partnership with Collies Without Borders to provide support to Rough Collies and their owners. The breed is in decline in Europe so it is important to me to help maintain the breeding lines.

Collies Without Borders

ColliesWithoutBorders was founded by Flora Scheck, a collie owner, who was touched by the devastation in Ukraine and, through Facebook friendships, realized how many collies and owners were impacted. Finding themselves unable to buy food for their beloved collies and other family animals was one more horrible by- product of the war. The war in Ukraine gave us a purpose, Collies and their families united, joined paws and hands, and worked out a plan to give and help, proudly taking a stand to make sure no collie will be left behind. Collies became for us a beacon of gentle hope, beauty, and peace, teaching us what courage, tenacity, and faith are in the face of such inhumanity and cruelty. We found a common cause and together we became an overnight force. 

Photo of FLora Scheck on a bench with 4 Rough Collies sitting at her feet

Flora Scheck

Flora Scheck grew up in Romania, where she was surrounded by nature’s beautiful scenery. As a child, she always had a collie by her side. Flora started ColliesWithoutBorders to help our friends in Ukraine living with the devastating affects of war. She has grown ColliesWithoutBorders into a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, with the mission of helping collies and their families worldwide.

Flora currently resides in Bedminster, NJ with her beloved tricolor collie and a bossy rescue cat.

Cathy Vellucci

Cathy has had at least one collie since she was twelve years old. The popular TV series Lassie, which she watched faithfully as a child stirred her passion for the breed.

 By happenstance, she saw a Facebook post made by Flora about the need for support of the collies in Ukraine. She immediately contacted Flora to lend support. It's a different way to rescue collies but just as meaningful.

​Cathy began rescuing collies a dozen or so years ago. She lives in Connecticut where she is owned by three rescue collies. It is no wonder that she is the Executive Director of Collie Rescue League off New England.

Photo of Kerry Boyce on her knees with a Rough Collie hugging her

Kerry Boyce

My first collie was a rough sable named Tammy who was in the house from the day I was born. I started to show our collies in the ring at the age of 7 years. Together, with my parents we’ve  been joined with the collie breed now for decades, starting out with the Brandwyne bloodline. Raising both roughs and smooths my love for the collie breed is never ending. 

I am very proud to say last year I joined with Flora to help her with assistance for a group’s monthly aid she was sending to our Ukrainian collie family. Today, I continue with my dedication to ColliesWithoutBorders as its Treasurer and Board Member.  I continue to support Flora’s mission helping to ensure the collies and their families around the world will always be watched over. 

Holly Davenport

Holly grew up around horses, cats and dogs. 

She worked for years in financial services for a socially responsible investment management firm.

After giving up life in the fast lane, Holly became a full time yoga instructor and Qigong practice leader. ​

She is on the Board of Directors of ColliesWithoutBorders joining Flora Scheck in her mission to provide aid to collie families around the world. ​

She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and her dream dog Tessie, a beautiful Tri-colored rough collie.

Photo of Noralee Smiley sitting on a sofa, cuddling a Smooth Collie

Noralee Smiley

At the age of 4 while visiting the site of my family’s new home, I was introduced to the neighbor—a collie named Timmy. After being assured that he was not a wolf, we became best friends. I remember reading Albert Payson Terhune’s Lad: A Dog to Timmy while he listened patiently.​

Years later I discovered a group of collie fans devoted to preserving the Terhune estate, Sunnybank, in New Jersey. I am an active member of the Terhune Sunnybank Memorial, contributing to their newsletter and assisting with tours at The Gathering at Sunnybank each August. ​

Recently I was asked by Flora Scheck to be on the Board of ColliesWithoutBorders. Together we are making a difference in the lives of collies and those who love them.​

My collie, Mattie, is 11 years old. Though she is getting up there in years, her heart remains as sweet and pure as only a collie’s can be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ukranian Rough Collie Aid is a charity registered with the Charities Commission of England and Wales (No.1207337)

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