$1k warm gesture of SPCA support

GENEROUS: Pat Meddings, who has been knitting coats and blankets for SPCA animals for years, donated $1000 to the SPCA Op Shop. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

When Pat Meddings dropped off her latest batch of crochet and knitted goods to the SPCA Op Shop last week she also handed over a cheque for $1000.

This was to add to the growing kitty, held in the shop's account, which will pay to have animal welfare inspector services returned to Wairarapa.

"I just hope they can get the centre going again," said Mrs Meddings, who lives in Masterton.

The 86-year-old has been knitting for SPCA animals and donating to the charity for years.

"I've been doing doggy coats and kitten blankets for the SPCA for several years now - it's how I pass my time."

When Mrs Meddings gave the cheque to the op shop, volunteer Ross Nixon had given her two bags of bird seed.

She said she was very grateful for it but had to be forced to accept it as she didn't want to take from the charity.

"The SPCA needed money to get sorted - they were right down to bedrock.

"They needed money and I thought I've got some there so I'll let them have it.

"I'm not using as much of it now that my husband has gone."

Mrs Meddings husband died earlier this year.

She said the needlework meant she "never gets bored" and she keeps her television switched to Animal Planet.

"I love animals. I'm an animal person - I'm not a people person," she said.

"There's so many animals that are needing homes and care and attention.

"We need an SPCA."

She said she used to visit the now-closed Ngamutawa Rd centre regularly, dropping in the knitted coats. "I can't remember what started me off but when I heard they wanted kitten blankets and doggy coats I started doing them.

"I had boxes and boxes of spare wool and the dogs don't know what the colours are so it doesn't matter."

Mrs Meddings moved to Wairarapa 27 years ago from Wainuiomata. She said she hoped to see the SPCA back up and running again soon.

"I would certainly like people to help them out - they definitely need it.

"There's people out there who could fix them up overnight." Mrs Meddings said she would continue to support the SPCA and would be making more animal coats.