Redwings Horse Sanctuary latest to benefit from generosity of our supporters
SUCCESS STORY: Lady, found abandoned on land in Kidderminster as a one-year-old in 2017, has grown into a magnificent and well-loved Shire, thanks to the caring staff at Redwings.
Thanks to our supporters digging deep into their pockets, The War Horse Memorial is helping the UK’s largest horse welfare charity to meet the challenge of winter food bills for the hundreds of horses, mules and donkeys in its care.
Sales of pin badges, knitted poppies and other sales from our online shop, along with donations from animal lovers across the country, allowed us this week to gift £1,000 to Redwings Horse Sanctuary.
The charity will use it to support its equine residents across six centres – Angus, Scotland; Aylsham, Great Yarmouth and Caldecott in Norfolk; Nazeing, Essex, and Oxhill in Warwickshire.
Redwings Chief Executive Lynn Cutress said: “We are very grateful to The War Horse Memorial and The Animal Purple Poppy Fund for this generous donation. A huge thanks to everyone who purchased their pin badges, knitted poppies and other merchandise, which has made this donation possible.
“As one of the largest horse welfare charities in the UK, with more than 2,000 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules to look after, it is a very challenging time for us here at Redwings. Costs have increased exponentially during the cost-of-living crisis. The price of feed and other essentials havie risen sometimes by more than a third. So this donation is very welcome.”
For Redwings, the story began with the rescue of a single pony called Sheba more than 40 years ago. Her recovery inspired the formation of a sanctuary in 1984 dedicated to saving horses from a life of fear and neglect. From that one life saved, the charity has grown to become the largest horse welfare charity in the UK, caring for hundreds of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules every day at sanctuary sites in England and Scotland.
In 2008 the team were part of a ground-breaking rescue in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. More than 100 horses, ponies, and donkeys were rescued from terrible conditions in just 24 hours. An operation involving 32 staff as well as the RSPCA and a number of other welfare charities, police and local authorities.
ROYAL WELCOME: Ponies and staff with Queen Camilla during a visit Anna Sewell House in Great Yarmouth.
It was the first case of its kind since the launch of the new Animal Welfare Act in 2006 and prompted more calls for partnership working between the charities and a two-year-long court case to bring those responsible to justice.
Initially, Redwings took 21 of the most ill and vulnerable equines back to its Norfolk Horse Hospital for immediate treatment. Over the next few years, it offered a safe forever home to 60 horses and donkeys, as well as six foals born to mares from that rescue operation.
Many of the horses cared for cannot be rehomed. They may have a physical condition or emotional scars that mean they require continued specialist care. Dedicated teams ensure that every resident – no matter how complex their needs – has the opportunity to live out their days in a loving and safe environment. The horses live out all year round in natural herds, encouraging them to exhibit their natural behaviour and make friends.
Last July, Redwings welcomed Her Majesty the Queen to Anna Sewell House in Great Yarmouth, the birthplace and home of the author of the children’s classic Black Beauty which is in the custodianship of the charity. Black Beauty played an important part in drawing attention to the welfare of horses and is intertwined with Redwings’ own story of rescuing, rehoming and giving a forever home to those who need it.
Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Hapton, Norwich, NR15 1SP
Email: info@redwings.co.uk Telephone: 01508 505246