SPCA's Fundraising Superstars

It’s the Friday of SPCA’s Annual Street Appeal – a day where thousands of volunteers hit the streets with their buckets and a mission to give animals a voice. On a busy street in Auckland’s CBD, a special group of fourlegged fundraisers are stopping people in their tracks with 60 kg worth of slobber, fur and wagging tails. They are known as the Kiwi Newfoundlands, and can raise up to $10,000 in just five hours!

When the Kiwi Newfoundlands started in May 2005, they had only 10 members. Thirteen years later, there are 50 members across New Zealand – all passionate people and dogs who dedicate their time to helping the SPCA. Collectively they are SPCA adopters, foster parents, donors, volunteers, members of the SPCA’s Outreach Therapy Pets programme, Circle members, event participants, and fundraising superstars. Their amazing work for the SPCA and the community has been endless, and nine members have been awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for their dedication to the community.

“Our fundraising efforts started for the SPCA because our members already had such a strong connection with the organisation,” says Kiwi Newfoundlands member Pauline.

Founding member Carol was a volunteer in the SPCA canine team for 12 years. She is also involved with the SPCA Outreach programme with her Maine coon cat, and her newfoundland Takoda was the star of the SPCA’s Annual Appeal campaign in 2012.

The love of the newfoundland breed is what brings this group of people together. “We love them because of the amazing things they can do,” says Pauline. “In Monaco they are known for jumping out of helicopters to save someone drowning in the water.”

These dogs play an important role in not only raising money for the SPCA, but teaching kids how to approach dogs, listening to people’s experiences, and showing people the benefits of taking your dogs out socialising. “We want to show people that dogs are an extension of the family,” says Kiwi Newfoundlands member Tim. “I talk to my dogs like I would to anyone else, so we love taking our dogs out into the community and talking with people.”

The Kiwi Newfoundlands have been a key part of Auckland’s SPCA Street Appeal for 10 years. The members say the dogs are great at fundraising because they attract a lot of attention with their huge size and goofy natures, and they even have people coming back to see them again.

“Sometimes we have people wanting to donate money just so they can take a photo with the dogs,” says Carol. “Notes as large as $100 can be given to each dog. And while our dogs have sadly changed over the years, we have managed to collect in excess of $65,000 for the SPCA. The commitment from our members is second to none,” she adds.

“We love nothing more than showcasing our fur babies, sharing stories with complete strangers, hearing of their losses, crying with them, having hugs, and then seeing them hugging our dogs.” The Kiwi Newfoundlands group say they will keep the momentum going and continue raising money for the animals who need it most. “We don’t care where the money Our fundraising superstars goes, as long as it is helping animals. We fundraise for the SPCA to stop suffering,” Carol says.

The Kiwi Newfoundlands have been a key part of Auckland’s SPCA Street Appeal for 10 years. The members say the dogs are great at fundraising because they attract a lot of attention with their huge sizeand goofy natures, and they even have people coming back to see them again.

“Sometimes we have people wanting to donate money just so they can take a photo with the dogs,” says Carol. “Notes as large as $100 can be given to each dog. And while our dogs have sadly changed over the years, we have managed to collect in excess of $65,000 for the SPCA. The commitment from our members is second to none,” she adds.

“We love nothing more than showcasing our fur babies, sharing stories with complete strangers, hearing of their losses, crying with them, having hugs, and then seeing them hugging our dogs.” The Kiwi Newfoundlands group say they will keep the momentum going and continue raising money for the animals who need it most. “We don’t care where the money Our fundraising superstars goes, as long as it is helping animals. We fundraise for the SPCA to stop suffering,” Carol says.

This duo became friends in high school in 1999, and have been SPCA fundraising superstars since 2009. Their goal is to raise $250,000 by 2020. Stephen Jones and Amanda Bell have a shared desire to create a better world for animals. In addition to their full-time jobs and busy personal lives, they are full-time fundraisers and the SPCA Annual Appeal dream team.

It all began because of a chance meeting with Gerry Harrison. Gerry was in charge of special projects at the SPCA when Stephen and Amanda met her holding a collection bucket. The duo got talking to her and she ended up training them to become fundraisers. Stephen and Amanda wanted to help animals in a way that wasn’t physically at an SPCA centre, so fundraising sounded like a great option.

“I am a people person as well as an animal person, so I prefer to help animals behind the scenes,” says Amanda. “And we would probably come home with them all if we didn’t,” adds Stephen.

After that day, they never looked back. In their fundraising career, the pair have raised a remarkable total of $160,000 for the SPCA, as well as recruiting an incredibly loyal team of volunteers. Over the years you may have seen them with their big smiles and infectious enthusiasm at events like SPCA Cupcake Day, Annual Appeal, Christmas and Easter collections, and bucket collections at the international airport.

Stephen and Amanda recently completed their ninth SPCA Annual Appeal, and have always been the go-to people if there is a last-minute fundraising crisis. “People think the Annual Appeal is only three days and that we work for the SPCA, but it is a six-weeks process and we are volunteers,” says Stephen.

Part of the reason why their fundraising squad is so special is because it’s also a family affair. Stephen’s grandma Shirley, grandad Barry, his mum Deborah and his partner Gabriele are all involved in the fundraising efforts too. Grandma Shirley recently celebrated her ninth Annual Street Appeal alongside Stephen and Amanda at 88 years old. She manages the bucket drop-offs and pick-ups, and all the other fundraising gear when Stephen and Amanda are at work. Grandad Barry helps fill vacant collection time slots and provides everyone with much needed food and drink.

“Fundraising began at my family home, which became the base for all our volunteers,” says Stephen.

“I moved out five years ago, but it was important we kept the system going. I have even told my mum she isn’t allowed to ever sell her house for this reason,” he laughs.

Stephen and Amanda love fundraising because even if they’re having a bad day, they feel like they are making a difference with their bucket. “It is amazing to engage with the public,” Amanda says. “We get given chocolates from tourists, and people buy us hot chocolates when we are standing out in the cold.” “It’s a really great way to spend your time,” says Stephen.

As well as their goal of $250,000, Stephen and Amanda strive to expand their team, continue to cherish their relationships with sites and people, and are looking forward to seeing how fundraising develops alongside technology. “People may come, people may go, but Amanda and I will keep working hard and trying to make a difference,” says Stephen.

This very special group of fundraising superstars includes members of the SPCA Dog Squad, North Shore Supporters, and the North Shore Dog Squad. Together, they have raised over $430,000 to help the animals at the SPCA. For these people, animal welfare has truly been their lives’ work, and it is hard to put into words or fit their level of dedication into one article. They have spent the last 30 years supporting the SPCA by fundraising, fostering and adopting, and began back when the SPCA only had minimal staff and very limited resources.

“There were just a couple of vets and vet nurses working in a portacom,” says Dog Squad member Jean Benfell. “The conditions were horrible for them.” She says they have kept fundraising for so many years because the funds raised are always needed, and the SPCA is like a family. Their passion to help particularly lies with the hospital team and SPCA inspectors. “They have the hardest job and are amazing people,” says Jean. Since 1988 they have purchased many significant items for the SPCA.

These include a dental machine worth $18,000, funds to the value of $21,000 to help implement the SPCA Education Programme, and protective vests and body-worn cameras for the inspectors. Other items include blinds for the rabbitry to stop the sun from shining in, a centrifuge for the hospital, surgical lighting, consult benches, and items for the SPCA’s animal enrichment programmes.

“The Dog Squad have tirelessly fundraised for the SPCA inspectorate which has enabled us to purchase vital equipment,” says SPCA Auckland chief inspector Greg Reid.

“It has added up to tens of thousands of dollars, and without the support of the Dog Squad we would have needed to divert important funding from other work.” Of course it isn’t just the twolegged members who work hard to raise money for animals in need – the history of the dogs is just as important as the history of the people.

The Dog Squad is full of four-legged members, including dalmatians, newfoundlands, spaniels, labradors, and a very special ex-SPCA three-legged dog called Lucy. Lucy’s owner, Gary Hurley, has also adopted a one-eyed cat, a cat with a condition called cerebellar hypoplasia, and a cat with severe food allergies. Every single member of the Dog Squad is a passionate animal lover who will do anything for the animals of New Zealand.

“Animals are special little creatures. They break your heart, but they bring a lot of joy to you too,” Jean says

Even though members of the Dog Squad have been fundraising for the SPCA for the last three decades, they have no desire to stop any time soon. They are even looking to recruit more members.

Hannah Stewart, who turns 91 this year, has been with the Dog Squad since day one, and was one of the very first volunteers at the SPCA's Mangere centre. “We want to keep raising funds for the SPCA,” says Hannah. “We also want to show people how animals help us, not just what we can do for them. The more we are out there with our dogs, the more people will learn how incredible animals are,” says Hannah.

The SPCA’s fundraising superstars are more than just people on the streets with collection buckets. They are the backbone of the organisation, and the reason why thousands of animals receive a second chance at a better life. Next time you see them around New Zealand, stop and share your story.

These amazing people have hearts of gold, and an innate love for animals that will not waiver. “Humans have voices, animals don’t. We need to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves. Cruelty on a world scale is horrible, so we are lucky to have an organisation like the SPCA,” says Stephen. It is impossible to express how valuable they are to the SPCA community. We owe so much of our success to the hard work and love these people pour into our animals.