The Secret Garden helping raise funds for SPCA

Enter Lorraine and Robert, both legacy donors. This Nelson couple wanted to combine the two things they are most passionate about: animals and gardens. Lorraine and Robert love all things gardens and gardening and have spent years turning their own into an oasis of tranquility and beauty within their property.

Their garden spans five acres of land, sitting on a clifftop overlooking Ruby Bay across to Nelson and surrounds. While springtime weather isn’t always conducive to a garden tour, the stunning views across the water from their gardens always shine.

Accepting a request from their local Wakefield Garden Club to open their garden for a garden tour, and wanting others to enjoy the garden they love so much, Lorraine and Robert decided to charge an entrance fee as a way to raise money to help animals in need. All money raised from entry fees went to SPCA to help provide lifesaving care for animals. Lorraine’s sister, Elizabeth and brother-in-law, Peter also suggested drinks and nibbles at the house following the tour and opening the garden for a second day for Elizabeth’s work colleagues at Med Lab, again with all profits going to SPCA.

Lorraine and Robert were helped in giving tours by their two gorgeous Labradoodles, Rosie and Bruno Mars. And while the puppies did their utmost to gain all the attention and delight the visitors, the four enjoyed showing people around their garden, and sharing in the pups’ antics which ended with settling on the deck to enjoy each other’s company.

Lorraine was delighted to take the donations made from her endeavour to the local SPCA Centre in Nelson. She passed on words of gratitude and appreciation to the SPCA team, and all the care given there to animals who need love and support.

As well as helping so many animals they will never meet, Lorraine and Robert have given countless dogs love and a home over the years. Not only this, but they have made sure their dogs were part of their lifestyle of giving back where they could. Their previous Labradoodle, Tui-Belle, was a regular visitor to a nursing home in Motueka. For six years, this beautiful girl brought company, entertainment and joy to its residents.

Lorraine and Robert say they have much admiration for the work SPCA does, giving a voice to those animals who have not experienced the love and support that they know all animals deserve.

Thank you so much to Lorraine and Robert for opening your garden to raise funds for the all the animals who come through our doors, and for leaving SPCA gifts in their Wills. We could not do the work we do without the incredible dedication of our legacy donors and supporters.

Every gift in a Will can be a lifesaver, a warm blanket, security to an animal. Gifts in Wills enable SPCA to continue helping and protecting animals, and helping them find a home – and a garden – to call their own.

If you would like to receive information about leaving a gift in your Will, or you would like to let us know you have left a gift in your Will, please do contact us on 021 598 313 or by email to givinghearts@spca.nz.

SPCA is very proud to offer FREE Wills through our partnership with Gathered Here – this enables our supporters to create their Wills with peace of mind of no added costs of the Will itself. If you would like to take up this offer, please go to www.gatheredhere.com/nz/c/spca-nz or you can visit www.spca.nz/donate/leave-a-gift-in-your-will

We are happy for you to share this link with family and friends, easing costs for everyone. A gift in your Will to SPCA is not mandatory but would be hugely appreciated and humbling for us. With your help and support, SPCA can continue being the voice for animals in need.  Together we will give them a better future.