Animal sanctuary gets helping hand from West Suffolk Crematorium

A sanctuary which provides an interactive experience developing healing connections between people and animals has been given a helping hand from West Suffolk Cemetery & Crematorium.

A £500 donation has been made to Gee Gees Ranch Healing Acres CIC to support its work, offering education, work experience and wellbeing sessions.

The donation was made from the crematorium’s metal recycling scheme.

With the consent of families, metals recovered during the cremation process, are recycled and any money raised, is used to support selected charities, local activities and environmental initiatives that benefit the communities, which the crematorium serves.

West Suffolk Cemetery & Crematorium is part of Westerleigh Group, one of the UK’s largest independent owners and operators of crematoria and cemeteries, with 41 sites in England, Scotland, and Wales, all set within beautifully landscaped gardens of remembrance which provide peaceful places for people to visit and reflect.

The non-profit-making animal sanctuary ranch was set up in November 2022 by Laura Graham and her family, initially, to rescue animals who were in need, struggling, had been abandoned, neglected or who were about to be put to sleep.

Laura’s vision was to not only save and protect these animals but also to use them to provide one-to-one animal therapy and education sessions to people who have also been struggling.

She said: “We aim to provide support to people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, and to improve mental and physical wellbeing throughout our local and wider communities.”

“The donation will be used to build some shelters for the animals, both for shade in the summer and as some cover and protection from the elements in the winter.”

Gee Gees Ranch is currently home to more than 100 animals, including goats, horses, mini horses, donkeys, pigs, geese, chickens and rabbits.

Janine Simonds, Office Manager at West Suffolk Cemetery & Crematorium, visited the sanctuary with Crematorium Assistant Christy Graham.

Janine said: “We are so pleased to help this worthy recipient with our donation, and hope to help out more in the future especially with their plans to run bereavement groups, which resonates with our work at the crematorium.

“These groups will involve sessions around a campfire, meeting the animals which helps people to open up about their bereavement and feelings, in a natural, no-pressure, environment.

Gee Gees also provide work experience placements for school children, including those who are neurodiverse or can’t attend mainstream schools.

Moreover, the sanctuary welcomes volunteers of all ages, such as those working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Award and adult volunteers alike.

To find out more about Gee Gees Ranch, visit www.geegeesranchandrescue.co.uk

For more information about West Suffolk Cemetery & Crematorium, as well as the exceptional care and support it provides to the bereaved in creating uniquely personal funerals and memorials for their loved ones, visit www.westsuffolkcrematorium.co.uk