‘Absolutely distraught’: Grieving family with ‘soft hearts’ for horses needs help

Worried friends have asked Neil Mitchell listeners to help rally around a Melbourne family hit by hard times while grieving for their father and husband.

Lauren Nineham, her husband Ryan and their three young children dedicated their lives and property to care for rescued animals, including 20 horses, goats and dogs.

But when Ryan died suddenly earlier this year, the weight of managing a family, a property and dozens of animals without Ryan’s income understandably started to take its toll.

Lauren’s friend, Trudi Christie, told Neil Mitchell Lauren called her recently “absolutely distraught”.

“She didn’t have enough money to feed the horses and she couldn’t get extra help, and she didn’t know what to do,” Trudi said.

“My focus is to try to re-home the horses.

“Then at least Lauren can concentrate on the three kids, grieve, and try to move on with her life.”

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Following Trudi’s call, 3AW listeners responded with donations to a Go Fund Me page and other donations, including hay for the horses from the Healesville Picnic Racing Club.