The ManxSPCA is delighted to be unveiling a Forget Me Not Garden at Ard Jerkyll, designed, created and completed by a dedicated workforce from Microgaming.

The ManxSPCA wished to create a Forget Me Not Garden at Ard Jerkyll, to help pet owners come to terms with the loss of a pet. A cat memorial garden already existed on-site, but the ManxSPCA hoped it could be extended to create a memorial garden for all pets, and all owners. The ManxSPCA looked for financial support within the business community for this project; this led to Microgaming stepping in, not only with financial assistance but with an entire team from Microgaming on hand to make it happen!

ManxSPCA’s Margaret Mansfield, explains: “We were looking for a donation so that we could purchase the necessary equipment and pay for labour. We asked Microgaming for funding but what we received was far more than we expected. Microgaming stepped in and agreed to send a dedicated team of employees every weekend for several months! They designed and built the entire garden from scratch, which now takes pride of place at Ard Jerkyll. I can’t thank them enough for their effort and commitment.”

The Forget Me Not project included a clear-out of the entire site, the construction of a new trellis wall, a new pathway, archways and the repotting of plants. Volunteers spent a total of 20 days on-site; the project took four months to complete with 13 staff members and the help of several skilled labourers. In addition, several local artists are currently working on a few sculptures for the garden, to be added in in the coming months.

Roger Raatgever, CEO of Microgaming, adds: “I’m extremely proud of our team who took it upon themselves to take on this project. It’s easy for a company to make a donation to a charity; it’s a lot harder to be able to dedicate time. Now complete, the garden looks brilliant; what a fantastic achievement!”

Following months of hard work, the garden officially opened to the public in August. For more information on the ManxSPCA or the Forget Me Not Garden, please contact Margaret Mansfield on 07624 480368.