Local Horse Charity Needs Your Support at Virtual Open Day Sunday 5 July

Remus Horse Sanctuary is struggling to survive whilst experiencing extreme weather conditions alongside increased vet, medication and food bills – whilst assisting in welfare issues across the county – without its normal summer fundraising events, due to Covid-19.

Since lockdown on 23 March, Remus Horse Sanctuary has been managing with a small, skeleton staff, who have been required to care for its 200+ animals. Like so many small charities, it has had to cancel all of its fundraising efforts and is struggling to survive. As a result, its Summer Open Days have turned virtual and the charity will be hosting a further event on Sunday 5 July from 1pm to 5pm across social media.

Sue Burton, Founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary said, “This is the third event we will have hosted virtually and we are learning with every one. But our fundraising is down dramatically and we are struggling to survive right now.

“Last week was one of the tougher weeks at Remus, where everyone was pushed to their limits! The weather was so incredibly hot which made it difficult to work in, especially when doing such heavy work. We have been short staffed due to sickness and holiday so have had fewer staff working much harder in such heat. The torrential rain floods the road into us and our fields, meaning we have to walk in and out of work, then the extreme heat plays havoc with the animals.”

To try and mitigate the huge financial loss, the charity has been organising its Open Days virtually across its Facebook and Instagram platforms – until it can re-open to the public.

The next Virtual Open Day will take place on Sunday 5 July 1pm until 5pm. “Instead of you coming to us, we will come to you, by social media. Please, do join us!” said Ms Burton.

The charity will be sharing messages from the humans that work at the Sanctuary and from its animals, via photograph and video. It will also have merchandise for sale, information on conservation, enrichment, a tour of the yard and much more!

Those interested in finding out more about how the Sanctuary is coping during this time and in joining one of its virtual Open Days, can visit: www.facebook.com/RemusHorseSanctuary and www.instagram.com/remushorsesanctuary. Details of all of the charity’s Open Days can be found online at: www.remussanctuary.org/event-category/open_days/.

Ms Burton summarised, “Over the past week, we have experienced sore feet in some of the animals, chest infections, colic due to the heat, bloating and a jaw infection. All of this on top of the whole financial situation caused by Covid and all fundraising being stopped and money starting to dry up, so we really could have done without the added costs of the vets coming in every day this week and extra medications.

“From a welfare point of view, we have been crazily busy having to deal with cases all over the county from an absolutely emaciated mare to a decomposing foal dumped in the hedgerow. These are such sad and difficult times for us all.”

Any help you can offer by way of donation, fundraising or otherwise would be very much appreciated. You can contact Sue Burton at the Sanctuary on tel: 01277 356191 or by email to info@remussanctuary.org.