Big-Hearted Bequest Is The Cat's Whiskers

Big-Hearted Bequest Leaves Feline Funding Legacy That’s the Cat’s Whiskers

Twenty years ago Ms Molly Alberta Beebe Wyatt passed away and left instructions in her Will for Public Trust to administer her estate and hold the balance on trust until 2015.

It was Molly’s wish that during the lifetime of the Trust that funds generated from her residuary estate be used specifically for the care of cats by the Wellington arm of the SPCA.

Every year since 1995 the Crown Entity has fulfilled its client’s final wishes by gifting annual distributions that culminated in a total of $152,858 to the animal welfare organisation.

The balance of the estate income and remaining capital totalling $247,158 was handed over recently at a special cheque presentation ceremony to mark the significance of Ms Wyatt’s generous philanthropy.

“I had a tear in my eye. We were part of this wonderful legacy that generated over $150,000 of income from the original capital sum for the benefit of the Wellington SPCA. It was incredibly touching and such a unique situation” said Ms Sue Taylor, Public Trust National Manager Charitable Services.

Each year Public Trust looks after the interests of 240,000 New Zealanders and administers more than 400 charitable trusts set up in perpetuity to last forever. Unusually in this case the trust had a definitive lifetime of two decades before the final distribution.

Over the years in honour of Ms Wyatt’s concern for cats, the SPCA named an intake of abandoned kitties, “Molly”, “Alberta”, “Beebe” and “Wyatt” after their compassionate benefactor.

As a token of appreciation, another young homeless tabby was named “Owen Whisker” after a Public Trust staff member who has diligently managed the trust for ten years.

“It’s an end of an era. Molly’s big-hearted bequest is very gratefully received and will help us continue our good work in the community. With no direct government funding, the Society relies almost entirely on the generosity of the public to fund our life saving operations and we encourage others to do the same,” thanked Mr Iain Torrance Wellington SPCA Chief Executive Officer.

The balance of the funds originally proposed to purchase an animal ambulance, will now be used by the SPCA to provide rescue and emergency care due to an existing vehicle lease agreement with Orix, supplying Ford and Hyundai ambulances.

Ms Taylor nods, “animals, especially cats offer great comfort and friendship – particularly with the older ladies, and are often remembered in their final wishes.”

[ENDS]

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