Help Remus Win £5,000 in the Movement for Good Draw
Please nominate Remus Horse Sanctuary in the Benefact Movement for Good Animal and Wildlife Special Draw. It will take you just one minute!
The Benefact Group has launched a special Movement for Good draw to recognise charities working to support animals and wildlife, and Remus Horse Sanctuary is eligible to take part.
Ten charities will each receive £5,000, and we’d love Remus to be one of them.
As a haven for more than 100 rescued horses, ponies and donkeys, Remus relies on donations to provide the food, veterinary care and ongoing support these animals need. Winning £5,000 would make a real difference to the lives of the animals in our care.
How to nominate
The nomination period is open until midnight on Sunday 18 October 2026.
All you need to do is:
- Visit the Benefact Movement for Good website.
- Nominate Remus Horse Sanctuary (charity no 1134951)
- Share the opportunity with your friends, family and social networks.
You can nominate all your favourite animal and wildlife charities, but please remember that each charity can only be nominated once per person.
And remember, the more nominations we receive, the greater our chance of winning.
Please support Remus
Your nomination costs nothing and takes just a minute, but if Remus is successful, the £5,000 prize could help us continue providing the care and support our rescued animals need.
Please nominate Remus Horse Sanctuary today and help us get as many nominations as possible before the draw closes at midnight on Sunday 18 October.
Nominate Remus Horse Sanctuary
Making a Difference: Affinity Fostering Supports Remus’s Artisan Market
There’s something rather special about a community coming together to support a good cause. Whether it’s buying from a local maker, enjoying something delicious, donating to a charity or simply turning up to an event, every contribution can make a difference.
That’s exactly what we’re hoping for when we welcome visitors to our Artisan Market at Stock Village Hall on Sunday 11 October, and we’re delighted to have local fostering agency Affinity Fostering supporting the event as our sponsor.
Taking place from 11am to 4pm, the market will bring together a lovely selection of handmade products and locally produced food, offering visitors the chance to discover some great local makers and producers while helping to raise much-needed funds for the horses, ponies and donkeys in our care.
For Affinity Fostering, supporting local communities is also an important part of what they do.
Based at Ingatestone Hall, the agency supports foster carers across Essex and beyond, with a focus on enhancing and empowering young lives. Affinity has been rated Outstanding by Ofsted and places a strong emphasis on supporting its foster carers, including dedicated social workers, local support groups and 24/7 support.
But fostering is about more than providing a safe and nurturing home. Affinity also aims to create a strong sense of community for its foster families, with family days, activities, support groups and events designed to give children and young people positive experiences and opportunities.
That shared belief in the importance of community makes Affinity a particularly fitting sponsor for our Artisan Market.
Andy Robins, CEO of Affinity EFS Group Ltd and Director & Responsible Individual of Affinity Fostering Services Ltd, said:
“We’re delighted to be supporting the Remus Horse Sanctuary Artisan Market. At Affinity Fostering, community is incredibly important to us, and we’re always keen to support local organisations and events that bring people and families together. Remus does fantastic work, and sponsoring the Artisan Market is a great opportunity for us to support a worthwhile local cause while being part of what should be a brilliant community event.”
If you’ve ever wondered whether fostering could be right for you, the Artisan Market could also be an opportunity to find out a little more about Affinity and the difference you could make to a young person’s life.
You don’t need to know whether fostering is definitely right for you before getting in touch. Affinity’s friendly team can answer your questions, explain what fostering involves and talk you through the process without any obligation.
As Affinity says, foster carers come from all sorts of backgrounds. What matters most is having the time, stability and commitment to provide a safe and nurturing home for a child who needs one.
To find out more about fostering with Affinity, call 01245 237158 or visit www.affinityfostering.com.
We’re delighted to have Affinity Fostering supporting this event, and hope this will be the start of a positive relationship. We’re always grateful to businesses that want to support Remus, whether through event sponsorship, fundraising or other opportunities to get involved. To find out more, please contact Alison via email to: funding@remussanctuary.org.
And, of course, we’d love to see you at the Remus Artisan Market on Sunday 11 October. Come along, enjoy the market, support our local makers and help us raise funds for the animals at Remus Horse Sanctuary.
Sunday 11 October 2026 | 11am–4pm
Stock Village Hall, Common Road, Stock CM4 9NF
We look forward to seeing you there!
Payroll Giving
Donate straight from your pay before tax
Since its launch in 1987, Payroll Giving has raised over £2 billion for charitable organisations across the UK. It offers a simple and effective way for employers to support charitable giving in the workplace. However, despite its long history, many people are still unaware of Payroll Giving and the benefits it can offer to both employees and employers.
Payroll Giving, also known as Give As You Earn, is a simple and tax-efficient way of making regular donations to UK charities directly from your salary. There are a number of Payroll Giving Agencies that administer the scheme and charge a small fee for their services. Employees can choose which charity they would like to support, provided it is recognised by HMRC as a charity.
Benefits for Employees
Payroll Giving offers a fantastic opportunity to support the charities that matter most to you. It is a highly tax-efficient way of giving because donations are taken from your pay after National Insurance contributions have been deducted, but before Income Tax is calculated. This means your donation costs you less while the charity receives the full amount you choose to give.
Benefits for Employers
Payroll Giving provides employers with an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to supporting employees, local communities and charitable causes. It can form an important part of a company’s responsible business activities and is both flexible and cost-effective to operate.
Employers can choose to cover the administration fees on behalf of their employees, helping even more of each donation reach the chosen charity. Any matching donations or costs associated with running the scheme may also be offset against profits, helping to reduce Corporation Tax.
Benefits for Remus Horse Sanctuary
For charities such as Remus Horse Sanctuary, Payroll Giving provides a dependable source of income that helps us plan ahead with confidence and continue our vital welfare work. Regular donations allow us to budget more effectively and focus on caring for the animals who rely on us.
Another advantage is that Payroll Giving reduces administration, as charities do not need to claim Gift Aid on these donations.
One of the greatest benefits of Payroll Giving is its flexibility. Employees can increase, decrease or pause their donations, change the charity they support, or even make a one-off donation if they prefer not to commit to a regular monthly contribution.
Why use CAF?
The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) helps individuals and businesses support the causes they care about through a range of giving and fundraising services. They also provide practical support and banking services for charities, alongside research and guidance that helps strengthen the charity sector.
CAF Give As You Earn is the UK’s largest Payroll Giving scheme, making it easy for employers and employees to get involved.
If your employer does not currently offer Payroll Giving, why not ask them to consider it? You could send them a link to the CAF Give As You Earn webpage for employers, which explains the benefits of the scheme and includes details on how to apply.
Every regular donation, no matter the size, helps Remus Horse Sanctuary continue providing specialist care and a safe haven for animals in need.
Our next Open Day is Sunday 5 July and we look forward to seeing you then!
Get Crafty!
If you love getting creative – or fancy learning a new skill – Remus Horse Sanctuary has just the thing for you this autumn! We’re delighted to announce three fabulous craft workshops designed for both seasoned makers and complete beginners. Whether you enjoy arts and crafts, cake decorating or jewellery making, or simply want to try your hand at something new, these events promise fun, friendship and a sprinkle of creativity – all while helping to support the Sanctuary’s vital animal welfare work.
Halloween Cake Decorating – Saturday 25 October
Join us for a spooky (and delicious!) start to the season with our Halloween Cake Decorating Workshop, taking place at the Billericay Reading Rooms from 11am to 2pm. Under expert guidance, you’ll learn how to create your own ghoulishly good cake designs – perfect for impressing family and friends this Halloween.
Bracelet Jewellery Making – Sunday 2 November
Next up, join us at the Sanctuary itself for our Bracelet Jewellery Making Workshop, from 11am to 3pm. Create your own beautiful, beaded bracelet under friendly, professional tuition, and enjoy a special tour of the Sanctuary, where you’ll have the chance to meet some of our much-loved residents. It’s a lovely day out for anyone who enjoys a bit of sparkle and a lot of heart.
Cute Christmas Cake Decorating – Saturday 29 November
Rounding off the season in festive style, our Cute Christmas Cake Decorating Workshop will take place once again at the Billericay Reading Rooms, from 11am to 2pm. Learn how to make adorable, festive-themed cakes that are sure to steal the show at your Christmas celebrations!
Sue Moloney, who runs these workshops for us, has been cake decorating for an incredible 35 years! She has a C&G qualification in sugarcraft, was a member of the Guild for many years and even Secretary of the Chelmsford branch for some time too!
Each workshop includes full tuition, so you don’t need to be an expert to take part – just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to have fun. Spaces are limited, so early booking is recommended.
To find out more and reserve your place, please use the links above. You might like to view our other events which you can do if you visit the Events page on our website.
We can’t wait to see what you create!
PS. If you love a good pub quiz too – check out our Quiz Night on Saturday 1 November.
Have you nominated Remus in the next Benefact Group Draw?
Benefact have shared that in 2024, more than 10% of winning charities received 10 or fewer nominations. Please don’t let us be one of them!
YOUR NOMINATION ALONE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
The third £1,000 draw of the year is fast approaching, so please get your nominations in by midnight on Sunday 1 June.
You can vote for Remus Horse Sanctuary online here:
The 50 winning charities will be announced on Friday 6 June.
The Movement for Good Awards is an annual programme of giving that anyone can get involved in, and again this year they’ll be donating over £1 million to charities and good causes. Benefact Group is an independent, specialist financial services group which gives all of its available profits to charity and causes. Owned by a registered charity, Benefact Trust, Benefact Group’s family of businesses provide specialist insurance, investment management and broking and advisory services in the UK, Australia, Canada and Ireland.
Furthermore, Benefact Group is the third-largest UK corporate donor to charity over a decade, according to the Directory of Social Change’s UK Guides to Company Giving 2017-26.
Don’t forget…
It’s one nomination per charity per person. And the earlier you nominate, the more £1,000 draws your chosen charities will be entered into. Nominations made from 1 January 2025 to 15 December 2025 will be entered into all remaining £1,000 draws. But nominations from previous years do not roll over.
Thank you so much for supporting the Benefact Movement for Good Awards!
PS. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday 1 June for our next Open Day. Full details and tickets via the website. Or call us on 01277 356191.
Exciting Spring Events at Remus Horse Sanctuary
As spring approaches, Remus Horse Sanctuary is gearing up for a vibrant calendar of events, offering something for everyone ahead of their much-anticipated Open Days, which begin on the first Sunday of the month from May through to October (weather permitting). With a diverse range of activities, supporters can learn, create, shop, and dine – all while raising essential funds for the Sanctuary.
March has some fantastic fundraising events to enjoy:
On Friday 8 March, put your knowledge to the test at our Quiz Evening at Stock Village Hall. Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start – gather your team and join us for a fun and competitive evening.
On Saturday 16 March, there are two great opportunities to support the Sanctuary. First, our Online Auction via the Remus Facebook page starts at 11am, offering a fantastic selection of items to bid on. Later in the day, join us for the Curry Club at Nirvana Indian Restaurant in Ingatestone. For £22 per person, you’ll enjoy poppadoms, dips, a main course, side dish, and rice or bread. The event starts at 2pm for a 2.15pm sit-down, and advance booking is required. (These two events will also be repeated on Sunday 27 April.)
April kicks off with an Elderly Horse Workshop at the Sanctuary on Sunday 6 April, running from 11am to 3pm. This insightful session is designed to help horse owners understand how to support their equine companions in their later years. Attendees can enjoy tea, coffee, and homemade cakes while gaining valuable knowledge. The workshop costs £40 per person, and booking is essential by calling 01277 356191.
On Saturday 12 April, creative minds can take part in a Cake Decorating Workshop at the Billericay Reading Rooms from 11am to 2pm. Participants will learn to ice a cake with fondant and develop basic modelling techniques to craft their very own Easter Bunny cake! The workshop costs £45 per person, including sugarpaste, modelling paste, and a cake board. To secure your place, call the office on 01277 356191.
Look out for details on our website of our Fashion Show on Saturday 17 May and Enrichment Workshop on Sunday 25 May.
Sue Burton, Founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary, said: “Spring is an exciting time for us as we prepare for our Open Days, and we’re delighted to offer such a wonderful mix of new events for our supporters.
“Whether you’re learning, bidding, or dining with us, every event helps to raise much-needed funds for the animals in our care. We’d love to see as many people as possible getting involved!”
For further information about the invaluable work at the Sanctuary, visit www.remussanctuary.org or call 01277 356191.
From Tragedy to Hope: Why Remus Horse Sanctuary Still Needs You
A Tragic Beginning
Whether Remus Horse Sanctuary is a new name to you or you’re a seasoned supporter, you may not know the story of why and how we were formed.
Not long after arriving in Essex from London in 1983, Sue Burton witnessed first hand the horrors of more than 100 horses abandoned on the bleak, flooded marshlands of Rainham. Thirteen were trapped by rising waters, left to drown in the most appalling conditions.
The Story of Remus and Pickles
Shortly after, the charity’s namesake, Remus, was found dumped outside a livery yard – tied to a lamp post in a pitiful, emaciated state. He had been stolen and starved in a dispute between two people over just £50. His suffering was too great to survive, and in an act of kindness, he was put to sleep.
Not long after Remus, Sue and her friend Pat heard about another desperate case – Misty and her foal, Pickles. Misty had sustained a fractured skull, possibly from a kick while on the Rainham Marshes during the flooding. Incredibly, her plight became known not because of her suffering, but because Pickles, left to wander, was attacking people on a footpath.
Misty, tethered and unable to reach her foal, was beside herself. Tied by her neck to the ground despite her fractured skull, she had no way to care for her baby. There was nothing more that could be done for Misty, and to end her suffering, the vet made the heartbreaking decision to put her to sleep.
Sue and Pat found themselves with Pickles – and an urgent need for land where he could live. But walking away from what they had witnessed wasn’t an option. And so, in 1983, Remus Horse Sanctuary was born.
Why Our Work is Still Urgent Today
We wish we could tell you things have dramatically improved in the last 40 years. While some progress has been made, it is simply not enough.
Even today, horses and ponies suffer the same horrific neglect and abuse. It’s estimated that there are over 7,000 welfare cases in England, with numbers rising every year. That’s why we launched our #BornToDie campaign on our 40th anniversary – to raise awareness and fight for real change.
By the way, Pickles went on to thrive, finding a wonderful home with Remus member Sue Tredget. He lived a long, happy life, passing away in his 30s.
How You Can Help
Sue and the team work tirelessly – raising awareness with councils and authorities, fundraising for change, rescuing animals in need, and providing care for the many residents at the Sanctuary. But we can’t do it without you.
The cost of running the Sanctuary continues to rise, just as your own expenses do. Every donation, no matter how small, helps us rescue and care for more animals in desperate need.
👉 Please support our work today.
In memory of Remus, Misty, and Pickles, and for all the animals who still need our help today and in the future. Please click the link to donate or learn more about our #BornToDie campaign. Together, we can make a difference.
Support Remus Horse Sanctuary in Benefact Group’s 12 Days of Giving
The festive season is a time for giving, and Benefact Group’s 12 Days of Giving programme is the perfect opportunity to help Remus Horse Sanctuary secure vital funding to care for our animals.
Starting on 5 December, Benefact Group will draw the names of ten charities each day over 12 days, with each charity receiving £1,000. That’s 120 charities supported and a total of £120,000 donated to good causes across the UK!
If you’ve already nominated Remus this year, then we are already in the draw. If you haven’t nominated yet, it’s just a few clicks away. And the more nominations we receive, the greater our chances of being chosen.
How You Can Help
We need your support to nominate Remus Horse Sanctuary for this incredible opportunity. It’s quick and easy to take part:
- Visit the Benefact Group 12 Days of Giving website.
- Complete your details.
- Submit your nomination – and encourage others to do the same!
The more nominations we receive, the greater our chances of being chosen.
Why This Matters
At Remus Horse Sanctuary, we provide a safe haven for animals who have endured neglect, abuse, or abandonment. A £1,000 donation would go directly towards the care of our animals, from essential feed and veterinary treatments to maintaining warm and secure shelter during the harsh winter months.
This is a wonderful opportunity for you to help make a difference – without spending a penny. Your nomination could help us give our animals the love and care they deserve.
Spread the Word
Please share this campaign with friends, family, and your community. Every nomination increases our chances of success, and together, we can make this holiday season brighter for our Sanctuary’s residents.
From all of us at Remus Horse Sanctuary, thank you for your kindness and support!
People’s Fundraising Platform Launch New Features
The fundraising platform called ‘People’s Fundraising’ has revealed a number of new features to help you plan and host your fundraising activities for Remus Horse Sanctuary. The new tools are all designed to help simplify the fundraising process and to help you achieve your goals.
The Fundraising Hub is your new launch page. It presents the different fundraising options available, the current fundraisers created by yourselves and other supporters, and your contact links.
The website link for you to visit and bookmark is: https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/hub/remus-horse-sanctuary.
In addition to People’s Fundraising, Remus Horse Sanctuary utilise a number of different fundraising platforms, so you can choose the one that works best for you, including:
- JustGiving
- Give as you Live
- easyfundraising
- PayPal
- and Enthuse as our main donor partner
Together we can bring an end to horse cruelty and ensure that no animal is born to die.
At Remus Horse Sanctuary in Essex, we work tirelessly to care for animals and raise awareness of animal welfare and we can only do it with your generous help and support.
Remus Horse Sanctuary is funded totally by public donations and our own fundraising and event activities.
Thank you for your support.
Harmony Brass Celebrate at the Village Hall
The popular Essex-based brass ensemble Harmony Brass are preparing for their next visit to Stock Village Hall on Saturday 8 June at 7.30pm, when they will be celebrating the ensemble’s 40th Anniversary by presenting a special concert for the occasion.
The event will include the usual eclectic and popular mix of music for all tastes, and will feature a selection of audience favourites enjoyed by the group’s supporters over the past 40 years.
Regular visitors to Harmony Brass concerts will also see popular and humorous compere, David Hurrell, seizing an extremely rare opportunity to take over the conductor’s baton for this special occasion.
To mark this important milestone, Harmony Brass have chosen to donate all of the profit from the evening to a well deserving local charity, Remus Horse Sanctuary, which celebrated its own 40th anniversary in 2023. The Sanctuary has approximately 200 animals in its care at their wonderful home at Buttsbury, and never turn away new arrivals who may be suffering from abuse, abandonment, injury or non-coping owners.
The income needed to fund this magnificent work comes solely from donations and sponsors and, after a reduction of both during COVID, income has not yet returned to pre-Covid levels. As you all know, the cost of everything has rocketed and Remus has had to deal with serious increases in veterinary costs and winter feed, as well as general running costs.
Please, if you can, come and join the fantastic and friendly Village Hall audience on the 8 June. If you have not yet been to a Harmony Brass concert, it is a great night out. The band are all happy and talented human musicians (no AI), who will do their best to ensure that you return to your homes with at least one of these same characteristics. Bring your own drinks and nibbles. Tables for up to eight are provided for club-style seating arrangements.
Tickets £20, are on sale now from: The Box Office, telephone 01277 622456.
Remus Drought
Other Appeal
