Abbey Street’s RSPCA Centre and the Cats Protection Derby Adoption Centre have both received a much needed boost – thanks to a trust set up by cat lover Lewis Prime which will see thousands of pounds donated to support animal charities across the county.
Nelsons has worked with the centres to ensure that Mr Prime’s wishes to create a lasting legacy through The Lewis Prime Charitable Will Trust will be upheld, helping to support the work that the charities do.
“Our running costs can reach £9,000 per week as we house 22 dogs, 43 cats, 10 rabbits and an assortment of other animals,” said Deb Peck, branch manager at the RSPCA.
“Any donation is greatly appreciated and trusts of this size really help us. The money will be used to improve cat and dog isolation areas, replace our kennel hatches as well as going towards creating a new vet treatment room. This will really revolutionise what we can achieve at the centre.”
Heather Brice, Cats Protection’s Trusts manager, added: “Lewis Prime was a long-standing supporter and fundraiser for our Derby and District branch and we are incredibly humbled that he chose to remember the charity in this way.
“Gifts from legacies fund more than half of everything we do as a charity, so they are hugely important to us and we are very grateful to cat lovers who support our work in their lifetime and remember us in their wills.
“Our work with Nelsons Solicitors as trustees of the legacy was very positive. The team are very professional and friendly and they are obviously genuinely interested in our work in the area,” added Heather.
Nelsons has a team of Wills, Trusts and Probate specialists and commented:.
“It’s unusual to see a trust of this size whereby the deceased wanted to leave a large amount to a selection of charities, but left the ultimate decision as to who gets what and when to trustees.
“We’re delighted that we’ve been able to help these worthy charities and hope that the lasting legacy of Lewis Prime will mean that more animals in the area can be rescued.”