While they run a smaller farm near Fairlie alongside full-time jobs in town, adding a couple of calves to the existing operation was an easy way to make a meaningful contribution towards the amount Hospice must fundraise. “We rear a few hundred calves anyway, so adding another two isn’t a big deal,” Kirsty says. “You hardly notice them, but the contribution they make is huge.” “Our children, Ellie and Willa are very hands on with the calf rearing, they understand why we have the Hospice calves and we really value the experience for them around how they are helping to raise money and give back to our community”.

The family’s connection to hospice is both personal and professional through Betts Funeral Services, where they regularly see firsthand the care and support Hospice provides families during difficult times. They have also experienced that care personally. “Most people will have some interaction with hospice at some point and come away thinking it’s one of the most important organisations around,” Kirsty says.

Since joining the programme a couple of years ago, the family says it’s one of the simplest ways farmers can give back without adding extra pressure to already busy lives. “Farmers are time-poor, but this is something you can do that does not require a lot of extra time,” Kirsty says. “We phoned to take part and two calves turned up to join the rest; it was very easy transition into the programme.”

Mitch and Kirsty rear the calves to weaning and then graze and finish them. They are happy contributing to Hospice quietly in the background. Although they do currently hold the record in the programme of the highest grossing cattle at auction with “Big Blue”, and they are hoping to get some friendly competition going!