Fundraising Fashion Show and Bargain Sale in aid of Remus Horse Sanctuary

Enjoy a unique afternoon of fashion at Stock Village Hall in Essex on Saturday 11 May in aid of Remus Horse Sanctuary. The fundraising fashion show will feature over 100 individual styles made up of timeless wardrobe essentials from leading high street fashion stores* such as M&S, Wallis, River Island, Mango, H&M, New Look, DKNY, Guess, White Stuff, Next, Dorothy Perkins and Oasis.

After the show guests will have opportunity to browse the rails and try on those items they’ve seen on the catwalk and purchase them at heavily discounted prices – generally at least 50% cheaper than the in-store price. A range of matching shoes and accessories will also be available to complement the clothes. And, in the event you change your mind, all items purchased can be returned within 14 days of the event for exchange or refund.

Catering for all shapes and sizes, the styles will be available in a range of sizes* from 6 – 22 ensuring there is something for everyone. During the show, the compere will describe what each model is wearing, the sizes available, and both the original and sale price.

Guests will have opportunity to win a £50 Colours Gift Voucher in the raffle, and refreshments will be available during the afternoon including tea, coffee, soft drinks, homemade cake and savoury snacks.

Doors open at 1pm for the Fashion Show to commence at 1.30pm. The fashion show itself will last approximately an hour and a half, followed by plenty of time to try on and purchase the items of choice.

Tickets cost just £6 per person, or three tickets can be purchased at the discounted price of £15. Tickets should be purchased in advance either by telephoning the Sanctuary on: 01277 356191 or via the website. Book your tickets online here for the Remus Colours Fashion Show and Pop-Up Shop.

The fundraising fashion show is being organised by ‘Colours’ a leading provider of professional fundraising events.

For further information, please contact Dee Shadforth at the Sanctuary via email: funding@remussanctuary.org.

*Subject to availability.

Benefact First £5,000 Draw of 2024 is Here

The Benefacts Movement for Good animals and wildlife special draw is here and they have 10 awards of £5,000 to give away – and we’d love to be one of them!

The nomination window opens for five days only from Monday 19th to Friday 23rd February 2024. Please mark the dates on your calendar and visit the Benefact website this week to get Remus in the running.

Visit the Benefact website to find out more about the Animal and Welfare Special Draw.

Additionally, we’d love you to nominate Remus for the next Benefact £1,000 draw!

The next £1,000 draw is Monday 18th March, so if you haven’t already done so, please do get involved and nominate Remus Horse Sanctuary today. Don’t forget, it’s one nomination per charity per person and we would be beyond delighted if you could choose Remus.

Once you’ve nominated, use their tools to share and get your network to support us too – it only takes a minute and the more nominations we receive, the greater our chance of winning.

Please note: if you’ve already nominated Remus in the £1,000 awards this year, your nomination will automatically be carried forward to all of the remaining £1,000 draws. Nomination for the £5,000 draw, however, is a separate requirement.

Benefact Group is a diverse family of specialist financial services businesses, driven by a shared ambition to do right by their customers and clients, and united by a common purpose to give all available profits to charity and good causes.

Thank you so much for supporting Remus Horse Sanctuary in the Movement for Good Awards!

Welfare Update

We’ve had many welfare calls so far this winter both from the floods and then the severe cold. We dealt with a particularly bad case of a whole flock of sheep in a field in Boston, Lincolnshire, where the field was so wet and boggy (this was prior to the countywide flooding) that the sheep were black as they only had wet mud to lie on and one ewe was stuck up to her knees in thick mud.

The sheep were all trying to lie as close to the fencing as possible, to keep out of the wet mud. It was pitiful to see so many animals affected. All animals are entitled to somewhere dry to lay down, and food to eat.

In the photo there is a line of electric fence between the sheep in the thick black wet mud and the soft grass which would have given her somewhere dry to lie down and something to eat, but the electric fence prevented it and everything on the field had been eaten as the animals were starving.

Thankfully we were able to get these sheep moved onto better more drained land.

As we have said repeatedly in our Born to Die Campaign no one wants to take responsibility and often authorities don’t know issues are their responsibility. It took us over 4 hours on the phone going round and round in circles to try to get help for these poor sheep, and we knew who to contact! What on earth does a concerned member of the public do?!

There are many ways you can help us through 2024 and beyond:

Make a regular donation. Can you spare even just £5 a month?
If you are clearing out your wardrobe, please do consider donating your clothes to the Sanctuary as they have become a very good fundraiser for us, we can also take shoes and handbags.
If you aren’t close enough to drop them to us you can use the i-collect clothes website and they will collect from you. So long as you click on the Remus logo all funds will come directly to us.
If you have any unwanted gifts after Christmas or items that might just sit in a drawer unused, we would love to have them to help raise funds for the animals.
Let your love for animals continue in your memory, with a legacy. Do consider leaving a donation to Remus in your Will, if you are able.
Do make a donation towards our winter hay appeal and general winter feed, bedding and vet costs.
If you have any jewellery or even broken jewellery, we can turn that into funds for the animals.
Organise an event to raise funds for the Sanctuary and/or support our events.

And finally, thanks so much to everyone who purchased tickets for our Christmas Draw last year. Our congratulations to the winners were: John and Brian from Rayleigh, Philip from Billericay, and Mrs Jeffery from Chelmsford. Our sincerest thanks go to Bridgit Tappin for all her hard work and effort in producing these amazing hampers for us at her own cost.

Thank you so much Bridgit, and to all our supporters – your help is so very much appreciated.

Winter Hay Appeal and Two New Events

Remus Horse Sanctuary has launched an appeal to help raise extra funds for hay this winter.

Unfortunately, the Sanctuary has been facing a shortage of hay due to the extremely wet weather conditions. As a result of the sustained flooding from over the last 3 months, they have had to use much more of their hay supplies than usual to ensure their rescued and elderly residents are kept well fed.

As Remus’ work is 100% funded by donations from the public, the extra spend has put further pressure on their already tight budgets, which have still not recovered: first from the impact of the Coronavirus lockdowns and second by Storm Eunice which caused £40,000 worth of devastation when it blew entire field shelters over fences, crashing and smashing them, and taking roofs off the buildings.

Sue Burton, Founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary, said: “On average, we spend around £6,000 on hay and feed every single month. As you can imagine, we plan our supplies carefully, but each winter we see prices increasing made worse by the weather, which obviously has an impact on us here.”

“We would like to urge anyone who can consider making a donation, to do so now to ensure we can purchase the extra supplies we need to continue to provide the very specialist care for our rescued horses, donkeys and ponies.”

To donate to the Remus’ hay appeal, please visit their JustGiving page or telephone the Sanctuary directly on 01277 356191.

The Sanctuary is hosting two new events this year:

New Hall Wine Estate’s Tour & Tasting – as featured on James Martin’s Saturday morning show – Saturday 16 March 2024
Colours Fashion Show & Pop-Up Shop – Saturday 11 May 2024

Remus Winter Hay Appeal 2024

When grazing is not possible on our site in the winter months, hay is even more vital for feeding the 200+ equines at our Sanctuary, like little Mopsey, Dickie and Clementine pictured here.

With so much mud and waterlogged paddocks during the winter months, hay is even more vital for feeding the 200+ equines at our Sanctuary. It costs us a minimum of £6,947.49 in Hay and Feed every single month, and that’s before the snow starts!

How can you make a difference?

We are asking our supporters to consider a gift to help us to buy more hay to feed our four-legged residents over the coming winter months.

Your gift will be used to buy hay that will help our residents, like those pictured and many more, through the rest of the winter until they can enjoy the spring grass when it arrives.

Spread the word!

Please share our cause with your family and friends, inspiring them to help too!

Thank you for your support.

Visit our JustGiving page to make your donation.

Can you Help us Win a Share of £50,000?

Animal Friends Pet Insurance have £50,000 to share this Christmas and want to hear how they could suppawt Remus with some local love this winter. Whether it’s funding to cover the rising costs of energy bills, food, horse rugs and blankets, vet bills, or anything else, they want to help make a difference.

Nominations only take a couple of minutes and are open until 23:59 on 16 December 2023.

Please nominate Remus Horse Sanctuary and share this with your friends and family to spread the joy this festive season, together.

Once you have clicked on the nomination link you will need:

Our web address: www.remussanctuary.org
Our charity number: 1134951

Animal Friends recently donated £25,000 to The Tree Council, to support planting projects that provide habitats for thousands of species across the UK. They continue to work together with The Tree Council, to create a healthier, tree-filled future for us all. Helping Rhinos received £6,000 too, which went towards helping to care for orphans at the Zululand Rhino Orphanage. A further £5,000 was donated to DogsnHomes Rescue, in light of an animal welfare crisis caused by the war in Ukraine. Their donation has already helped DogsnHomes Rescue to send over 10,000kg of supplies to help abandoned animals.

Suppawt small. Believe big.

Nominate Remus Horse Sanctuary Now

Never Forget Finds his Forever Home

The winning bid for ‘Never Forget’ – the not so little elephant donated to Remus following the ‘Herd in the City’ initiative in Essex – raised an incredible £2,400 for the charity. He is now back near Southend at his new forever home.

The Herd in The City trail took place from 14 July to 4 September and consisted of 46 elephants and 72 baby elephants located around Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea and Shoeburyness. Each of the wonderfully decorated elephants had a meaning and significance and were part of a trail that people could follow.

‘Never Forget’ was gifted to Remus for fundraising in October 2023. Read Never Forget’s story on our website.

Remus 40th Anniversary Fundraising Challenge

Ahead of its first Open Day of 2023 on Sunday 7 May, Remus Horse Sanctuary based in Essex, is launching its 40th Anniversary Challenge to raise £40,000 during the remainder of the year.

Sue Burton, Founder of the Sanctuary is asking its staff and volunteers, trustees and patrons, members, sponsors and supporters to fundraise just £40 each. Coming together in this way would help achieve the 40th Anniversary target – to help stop any animal from being born to die.

In the last month alone, three dead horses have been dumped in Essex and one foal was left to die under a hedge in Kent.

Founder Sue said, “I started the charity after reading the headline on the front of the Romford Recorder in February 1983. It said ‘Doomed! 100 horses left to die’. Coming from London, I’d never even met a horse, and I couldn’t believe that in this day and age we allow animals to die and do nothing.

“Some days it feels like very little has changed. We’re doing everything we can at Remus to stop animals from being born to die; working with other charities, campaigning and fundraising, but still we need to do more.

“We know our current ask is a biggy, so we’re asking everyone we know to fundraise just £40 for us. But of course, there’s no need to stop there, perhaps they could raise more!

“This is a very serious subject which we’ll be expanding on in the Summer with our Patrons. In the meantime, we’re asking people who care about animals everywhere to join us in our mission and have a little fun at the same time.”

The reason behind the challenge may be a serious one but the idea is simple, how could you raise £40? Perhaps you could bake and sell 40 cakes; make and sell 40 cards or crafts; cycle 40 miles; swim 40 lengths; get together friends for a 40 minute Zumba class! Put on your creative hats and Sue and her team are sure you’ll come up with some crazy fun ideas!

The Remus 40th Anniversary Challenge is intended to help raise awareness of animals being born to die. Here’s how your fundraising will help the charity directly:

£4 buys bandages for one of our laminitic ponies
£40 would pay for a special set of shoes for one of our laminitic ponies
£400 would provide straw bedding for 30 animals for 1 month
£4,000 would provide the routine medications needed by the older animals for 2 months
£44,000 would feed all of our horses, goats and sheep for 6 months
£440,000 would enable the charity to run for a whole year!

For the past 40 years, Remus has helped thousands of animals – horses, ponies, donkeys, cats, goats, sheep and more – rescuing them from cruel and sometimes dangerous situations; rehabilitating them with the help of specialist medical attention from vets, farriers, and complementary therapists; and allowing them to develop into old age, living a life free of harm. Each and every one receives the love, care and attention that Sue Burton, founder of the Sanctuary, and her team provide.

Sue is asking, “Are you up for the challenge?” and for you to share the hashtag #NeverBornToDie.

For further information, visit donate.giveasyoulive.com/campaign/40-anniversary-challenge.

Tickets for the Open Day taking place on Sunday 7 May can be purchased online via the website at: www.remussanctuary.org/events/open-day-at-the-sanctuary-may or by telephoning the Sanctuary on: 01277 356191.

Make your Will for FREE

Leaving a legacy in your Will is one of the best ways of ensuring that we can continue our valuable work. As you know, we rescue horses, ponies, donkeys and more, and provide rehabilitation and respite to them and to elderly horses, and all of our work is paid for by donations and fundraising. A gift in your Will, however small or large, can help ensure we can always be here for those victims of physical and mental abuse, whether it be as a result of ignorance or malicious intent.

By making a Will you can ensure that your wishes, and the people and causes you care about, are provided for. After providing for your family and friends remembering us in your Will means that we will be able to carry on the vital work of rescue, lobbying and education. By leaving a gift to Remus Horse Sanctuary in your Will you can shape the future, ensuring that we are always here to raise a voice for animal welfare.

Remus Horse Sanctuary is committed to being there for those animals that need us – after all, they cannot speak for themselves. If you decide to leave a gift in your Will to us, you will be supporting us to make sure we continue our valuable work with animal rescue and welfare.

Every single gift is vital to Remus and we appreciate any gift you may choose to leave us. Whatever the value of your gift, it will go a long way to help an animal that needs us.

It will not cost you a penny during your lifetime. It is simple to do and is free from inheritance tax.

All gifts, whatever their size make a real difference. It truly is a gift of a lifetime.

We thank you in advance for making a generous and thoughtful contribution.

Your gift will make a lasting and positive difference to Remus Horse Sanctuary.

Click here to find out more> www.freewills.co.uk/charity/remus-sanctuary

Storm Eunice Wreaks Havoc at Elderly Horse Sanctuary

Storm Eunice raged through the Sanctuary on Friday 18 February 2022, tearing apart field shelters and flipping them into the air like cardboard, flattening fences and ripping tiles from roofs. Please help Remus rebuild and make the necessary repairs and replacements.

Field Shelters cannot be covered by insurance and, due to the rising cost of timber and inflation, Ms Burton is estimating a total of £34,500 will be required to address the full list of repairs resulting in the wake of Storm Eunice.

Initial investigations have reported a lengthy list of repairs at the Sanctuary amounting to tens of thousands of pounds. Major repairs are required as follows:

Five field shelters destroyed
Roof tiles missing from Donkey shed and across the yard
Skylights in roofs blown out
Apex and other bits of roofs broken
Fencing smashed to ground

Founder of the charity, Sue Burton said, “We have never seen such devastation in such a short period of time – five field shelters were shattered, fences were flattened and tiles were ripped from roofs.

“As a charity we’re still reeling from the pandemic and losing out on all that fundraising for such a long period of time, so for something like this to happen now… well it’s beyond words!”

To help rebuild Remus please donate via their JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/campaign/rebuild-remus-after-eunice.

For further information about the invaluable work at the Sanctuary, visit www.remussanctuary.org or contact Sue Burton on tel: 01277 356191.