August 23 is fast approaching. The day when the UK commemorate all animals who gave service and sacrifice in war. Australia and New Zealand remember on February 24; in America and Canada it is November 11. Each date symbolic because of events in wars that have shaped history.

Here at The War Horse Memorial we chose August 23 as Purple Poppy Day to coincide with the Battle of Mons in Belgium. It was there in 1914 that horses were first involved in the so-called Great War in a British cavalry attack against the Germans. It was the last cavalry charge on the Western Front. Many men and animals lost their lives.

We created and registered The Animal Purple Poppy Fund as a way of fundraising to support our many good causes. An annual appeal is launched on June 8, the date we unveiled our magnificent War Horse, Poppy, in Ascot in 2018 as a standing tribute. We raise money through the sale of purple poppy pin badges. There are also knitted purple poppies for horses, donkeys, dogs and cats to wear on their bridles and collars. Donations are welcome too, either through our dedicated donation page or adding as an option to purchases from our shop

In past years our volunteers have made sure boxes of purple poppies can be found on sale in pet stores, garden centre and vets practices. Since the Covid pandemic, however, and like many other organisations, we have been struggling to survive and funding is not as it was. Animals charities and equine sanctuaries continue to need help and support. We remain determined to do what we can and ask you to join with us.

Our War Horse Memorial Ambassador Simon Greaves, and his many friends in Little London, Hampshire, are organising a War Horse Walk through Pamber Forest on August Bank Holiday Monday ( August 28). All are welcome. Just register your interest at www.arthurthewarhorse.co.uk/events

Australian Ambassador Nigel Allsopp is again planning to send urgent medicines, food and supplies to animal charities in war-torn Ukraine. In January, after hearing of the plight of abandoned animals, he not only made an appeal for food, bedding, blankets and medicine, but drove a supply-laden lorry to Poland. There he met up with other brave activists from UPAW (Ukrainian Pet Association Worldwide), managing to get those badly-needed provisions to animals close to the war zones. Nigel, President of AWAMO (Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation) has asked for our help and we plan to make a donation from this year’s The Animal Purple Poppy Fund.

Meanwhile, we’ve heard from Suzi Peacock and the the The 2nd Dragoon Greys & Bays Living History Group,  a WW1 re-enactment group (pictured at top of page) They have just ridden through the Aldbrough Feast, in North Yorkshire, as training for their horses. Suzi says they get a lot of public interest and planned to sell purple poppies to raise money and awareness for our good causes.

Ambassadors Michael Thompson and Jennifer Hawkins will be at Eton College Community Fair on Saturday, September 16 raising funds for Blue Acre Sanctuary, the Royal British Legion and The War Horse Memorial.

If you want to help us you can buy your poppies from our shop here. We know that many of you believe, as we do, that animals are there for us when we need them. It is surely only right that we are there for them when they need us too.

• The Animal Purple Poppy Fund uses the Poppy® trademark under licence from the Royal British Legion, but is not endorsed by, or affiliated with or otherwise connected with the Royal British Legion.