Volunteer Awards 2021
Feeding a better future for pets
Each year, thousands of Kiwis volunteer their time, talent and energy to the SPCA and the countless pets in need across New Zealand.
The SPCA Purina Volunteer awards have been created to celebrate these special people and to put a spotlight on the numerous ways volunteers contribute to the SPCA.
Congratulations and a big thank you to our 2021 winners below:
Best Op Shop Team – Motueka SPCA Op Shop
Fantastic Foster Family – Graham Markwell, SPCA New Plymouth
Outstanding Young Volunteer – Katie Storey, SPCA Masterton
Going the Extra Mile – Fiona Holliday, SPCA Taupō
Most Devoted Volunteer – Jackie Mitcalfe, SPCA Thames
Best Centre Volunteer team – Lisa White, Rod Willis & Liz Macpherson, SPCA Māngere
Meet Our 2021 Winners
Motueka SPCA Op Shop
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Meet the wonderful team behind SPCA’s Motueka Op Shop, who volunteer their time each week to help raise crucial funds through the store.
The team of 17 has been selected as winners of this year’s SPCA Purina National Volunteer Award for Best Op Shop Team, for their unrelenting commitment to the store.
When a hail storm severely damaged the Op Shop on Boxing Day last year, the team rallied to help clear out the damaged stock, dry out the interior and clean it up. Thanks to these volunteers, the shop was back up and running within a few weeks!
SPCA would like to thank the Motueka Op Shop Team and all the incredible volunteers who help run SPCA shops around the country.
Graham Markwell, New Plymouth
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Graham is one of the incredible volunteers at SPCA’s New Plymouth Centre, where he generously gives his time each week by doing things like mowing the lawns, collecting from donation bins and fostering vulnerable animals.
Graham’s been volunteering at SPCA since he suffered a stroke 12 years ago and could no longer run his business. Since then he’s made a difference to the lives of hundreds of animals by opening his home through fostering. During last year’s lockdown he had 16 animals in his care!
We’re so proud to present Graham with this year’s SPCA Purina National Volunteer Award for Fantastic Foster Family. A huge thank you to Graham and all the volunteers who help SPCA!
Fiona Holliday, SPCA Taupō
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Fiona is one of the amazing volunteers at SPCA’s Taupō Centre, who really goes the extra mile in everything she does. That’s why she’s won this year’s SPCA Purina National Volunteer Award for Going The Extra Mile!
Fiona gives us her time three days per week, and is a Jack of all trades. She socialises the animals, fosters cats and kittens, and even helped fix up some of the Centre’s rabbit cages. Thank you so much to Fiona and all of the incredible volunteers who generously give us their time each week!
Katie Storey
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Katie’s been volunteering at SPCA’s Masterton Centre for two years, and has become somewhat of a kitten whisperer! She somehow manages to get the shyest cats to trust her, and she’s fostered countless litters during the busy kitten season – many of which require bottle feeding and need constant monitoring.
Katie’s won this year’s SPCA Purina National Volunteer Award for Outstanding Young Volunteer. We’d like to thank Katie and all the incredible young volunteers who devote their spare time to helping our animals!
Jackie Mitcalfe, SPCA Thames
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Jackie’s been volunteering at SPCA’s Thames Centre for the last 20 years, and over those two decades has had a remarkable impact on the Centre, staff and the animals.
Jackie volunteers four days each week and on top of that, goes above and beyond to fundraise for SPCA by coordinating Cupcake Days, organising and selling raffles and even conning her friends to jump out of planes for SPCA’s Jump to the Rescue fundraiser!
Jackie has won the SPCA Purina National Volunteer Award for Most Devoted Volunteer. Thank you so much to Jackie and all the other volunteers who help to keep our Centres running!
Lisa White, Rod Willis & Liz Macpherson, Māngere
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Meet Liz, Rod and Lisa! These three are part of the incredible team of volunteers who help out in the cattery at SPCA’s Māngere Centre in Auckland.
The trio has won the SPCA Purina National Volunteer Award for Best Centre Volunteer Team, thanks to their hard work, commitment and positive attitudes. They also show the animals so much love by always arriving early for their volunteer shift to squeeze in a few extra cat cuddles!
Thank you so much to Liz, Rod and Lisa for everything you do for SPCA, and to all our Centre volunteers around the country.
Contact us
We’re here to answer all of your pet questions - there's nothing too big or small. Get in touch with us directly any time, any way. Our lines are open from 9am - 5pm, Monday to Thursday and 9am-4.30pm on Fridays.
You can also contact us via web form or email.
For any media enquiries, please email MediaRelations.AUNZ@au.nestle.com
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