Photo: GRAHAME COX
ANIMAL LOVER: Becky Bonaccorsi was granted her wish of spending a day working at the SPCA on Tuesday.
NICOLA MURPHY: Becky Bonaccorsi got a lot of help from doctors when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of three.
Now she's paying it forward by helping animals in need.
The 10-year-old from Green Bay has been in remission for six years and was granted a special wish when she got to spend the day helping staff at the SPCA animal village in Mangere.
The day was organised by Southern Stars Charitable Trust.
Becky looked after rabbits, guinea pigs, goats and horses.
"I like animals," she says. "They should be rescued."
She wants to take care of animals when she grows up.
"I was very excited," Becky says. "My friends didn't believe it."
Her mother Linda says Becky enjoys watching animal programmes on the Discovery Channel and is a big fan of Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late crocodile man Steve Irwin.
"She's always been an animal lover. We're blown away by the chance to do this. She's very lucky."
Mrs Bonaccorsi says Becky's illness has been difficult for the whole family but she's relieved Becky has been healthy for so long.
"She's fine now, she lives on medication but there's no recurrence of the tumour."
SPCA chief executive Christine Kalin says it's clear Becky has an affinity with animals.
"We hope it's the start of a long association with the SPCA and that when Becky reaches employment age she'll come knocking on our door."
Becky will also head to California for a trip to Disneyland in October.
The trip will be fully funded by Koru Care. Read here.
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