Elaine Wood was born on 1st January 1955 . She has loved dogs, cats and ponies for as long as she can remember. As she grew up she realised how many animals were ill treated and abused. She had a dream that one day she could offer help to those who crossed her path, giving them regular food, shelter and the sort of care they had never known.

A family  legacy that made buying her own land a possibility and, as fate would have it, a peaceful field in Thurrock, Essex was for sale. It was a perfect site. Elaine spent considerable hours fencing the seven acres into manageable paddocks and turning the pole barn into a weatherproof hay store. Her beloved equines, Charlie, Merri, Bill, Sebastian, Squirrel and Widget moved to their permanent home in June 1997. Hector's Gate became a registered charity in September 2004. Elaine has completely dedicated her life to Hector's and the residents have a forever home. Funding is by donation and fundraising events such as dog shows. It hard, very hard. As a small charity it is often overlooked.