A woman who spent part of her life living in Monmouthshire has left £60,000 in her will to a Welsh greyhound rescue charity, helping it prepare for an expected rise in the number of dogs needing homes following Wales' greyhound racing ban.
Animal lover Margaret Hunt, who died in 2023, left the money to Greyhound Rescue Wales (GRW), which rehomes retired and abandoned greyhounds across the country. The charity says the donation will help cover the growing costs of caring for dogs entering its rescue programme, with numbers expected to increase as the ban on greyhound racing in Wales takes full effect.
Lifelong Love of Animals
Margaret's niece, Kate Parsons, said her aunt had a lifelong love of animals and nature and owned several greyhounds over the years. "Margaret loved animals and nature throughout her life," she said. "She had a number of greyhounds, including two called Barkis and Diogenes. She gave a lot of administrative support to charities throughout her life and was secretary of local branches of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales."
Born in 1936, Margaret moved to south Wales in 1952 to undertake practical farm work before completing a National Diploma in Dairying at Aberystwyth University. She later worked as a bacteriologist and lived with her husband Robert, known as Bob, on a 15-acre smallholding near Abergavenny between 1964 and 1971, keeping cows and hens before the couple moved to Swindon. After retiring in 1992, they returned to the Wye Valley, an area Margaret remained deeply fond of throughout her life.
Community Respect
Kate said her aunt was highly regarded in her local community. "Though quite quiet and formal, she had a genuine interest in people," she said. "When she passed away, a small memorial was placed in her local village hall, as she was so well thought of."
Charity's Gratitude
In recognition of Margaret's gift, the organisation has named one of its rescue dogs "Margaret" as part of its memorial hound scheme. Claire James, chief executive of Greyhound Rescue Wales, said the legacy would have an immediate impact on the charity's work. "Margaret's generosity is both humbling and deeply moving," she said. "Her legacy will make a real and immediate difference to the greyhounds who need us most as the racing ban takes effect. Margaret's gift strengthens our ability to provide the veterinary care, rehabilitation and safe space that every dog deserves." She added: "Naming a hound in her honour is a small way of recognising her impact and we are profoundly grateful for her trust in our work."
