Meet The Team
Michelle Bancroft
Michelle is a lifelong animal lover and proud mum to two Cockapoos, Wilson and Betty, as well as a cat, Jaxon.
With over 15 years’ experience in a senior compliance role, Michelle has previously run a successful doggy day care centre. Her background means she takes great care to ensure every part of Rainbow Bridge, including individual pet cremation, is handled with the highest standards and attention to detail.
The idea for Rainbow Bridge came from a very personal experience. When her cat Milo passed away, Michelle was unsure of her options. The vet quickly suggested cremation, but after a week she had heard nothing. It was only 11 days later that Milo was finally returned to her.
That difficult experience inspired Michelle to create a service built on compassion and understanding—one that supports families at one of the hardest times in their lives, and makes sure they are reunited with their beloved pets as quickly and gently as possible.
Michelle has also achieved a distinction in accredited Grief Coach for Pet Loss training, giving her the knowledge and empathy to guide others through the pain of losing a cherished companion.
James Bancroft
James has many years of experience in the funeral industry, having worked as a funeral director in both Oldham and Prestwich. Alongside this, he owns a doggy day care centre and, like Michelle, is a devoted animal lover. He is also proud to serve as a trustee of the Destitute Animal Shelter in Bolton, supporting the welfare of animals in need.
His background means he has a deep understanding of what families go through when facing loss, and he is committed to offering kindness, empathy and support during such a difficult time.
James’s dog, Betty, is a registered therapy dog with Pets as Therapy, and together they often visit patients in hospital. These visits bring comfort and smiles, helping patients cope with their illness.
Having experienced loss with his own pets, James recognised that there was a need for more compassionate and personal pet aftercare.
This realisation inspired him, along with Michelle to create Rainbow Bridge Pet Funerals—a service built on care, respect and understanding, ensuring families are reunited with their beloved pets as quickly and gently as possible.