Open garden to raise funds for all creatures big and small

Open garden to raise funds for all creatures big and small

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Maureen and Jeff Upton estimate they have thousands of plants in their extensive garden. Photograph — Matt Devlin.

A Thornlie couple are set to open their garden to the public for the last time in a bid to raise money for the RSPCA.

Jeff and Maureen Upton have used their extensive collection of cottage plants, cacti, succulents and bromeliads as a fundraiser for the RSPCA for the past four years but at age 78 Mr Upton said it was time to finish up.

“We’ve been raising money for the RSPCA over the last four years for the love of animals,” he said.

“We’ve always had animals and we need to help them because they don’t get enough of it.”

He said the couple had held previous open gardens for Princess Margaret Hospital to help assist children with cancer. Mrs Upton said the couple chose to use their garden as a way to raise money because it combined their two passions.

“I love gardening, you just get hooked on it,” she said.

The couple have been working on their garden for several years and have never counted their plants but estimate them to be in the thousands.

The garden at 3 Dampier Court, Thornlie will be open from 9am to 4pm on September 3, 4, 17 and 18.

Entry is $6 and tea and coffee is available with a gold coin donation, with all funds raised going to the RSPCA.

There will also be a plant sale with 20 per cent of all proceeds going to the RSPCA.