Donor Story: Lorna Keegan-Pettifor
“My husband, Kelvin, and I made a decision in the last couple of years to leave a legacy donation in our Will to UCD, and specifically to support students in UCD School of Veterinary Medicine. We are both retired from farming and are passionate about animal welfare and the preservation of rare breeds, farm animals and threatened species. Looking back, I am proud of what I have done in my life. My husband and I live on our smallholding in beautiful County Tipperary, where I work as an animal portrait artist and care for our Anglo-Nubian goats, Leghorn hens and seven cats.
I would have loved to study to become a veterinarian but financial support was an obstacle for me. I left school at 16 to work and did not have the opportunity to go to university. As my legacy, I would like to give others the opportunity that I did not have.
Our legacy gift will provide financial support to veterinary students who experience financial hardship during their time at university. I understand the difficulty of balancing study with working, as I worked nights while taking classes to become a beauty therapist and Electrolysist, later a Lecturer in that subject and running my Clinic in advanced Electrical Epilation. Providing students with financial support so that they can concentrate on their studies is very important to me.
My passion for animal care stayed with me and I was asked to develop a City & Guilds course in animal handling and care. I tutored young people towards their careers working in all areas of animal care – farming, dog grooming, refuges, veterinary practices, pet shops, fisheries and general care at home – and I saw how additional support could help build their confidence. Our legacy gift will also support students wishing to specialise in their chosen field; for example, in the advancement of treating wild and endangered species.”
“We sincerely hope that our testimonial will aid people from all walks of life to consider giving a legacy gift to deserving students, after all young people are the future everywhere.”
