
9.9K Remus Reservoir Challenge
Many charities like Remus Horse Sanctuary have been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. It has massively affected the charity’s fundraising activities and they have lost out on crucial donations for horses in their care.
The charity is calling on any supporters to help them raise £10,000 in donations by taking part in their 9.9K Remus Reservoir Challenge. Supporters are encouraged to walk, run, or cycle the full distance of the Hanningfield Reservoir in a day this July and August.
Sue Burton from Remus Horse Sanctuary commented: “Our mission is to bring an end to horse cruelty by helping the horse welfare operation in the UK. The animals are our prime concern and are treated with the utmost respect. Our aim is to rescue and rehabilitate the animals to give them every chance to thrive into old age.
“However, this is something we cannot achieve on our own and heavily rely on fundraising events so that supporters can help us raise much needed donations.”
All donations raised will go towards the running of Remus Horse Sanctuary, which provides lifetime help and care for horses, ponies, and donkeys, many of which are aged between 30 and 45 years old. The Sanctuary’s mission is to provide these vulnerable animals with a happy and pain-free quality of life.
Further details of the 9.9K Remus Reservoir Challenge can be found at www.remussanctuary.org or sign up today at: donate.giveasyoulive.com/campaign/-remus-reservoir-challenge.
#remusreservoirchallenge #remus4horsewelfare
Giving Checkout – A New Online Tool by JustGiving
In the past year, more and more people have been going digital and JustGiving is addressing this by helping charities and supporters get a smoother user journey through its new online donation tool called Giving Checkout.
Why is this important to us?
Put quite simply, it’s a no-brainer! Giving Checkout is completely free to use for your direct donations (including regular gifts), so every donation makes an even bigger impact for us. Plus there’s no platform fees on JustGiving and, for Giving Checkout donations, they’ll cover the processing fee from a donor’s voluntary contribution if you do “tip” or absorb the cost if you don’t. Plus, donations can be made in five currencies via all major credit and debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Pay with Bank Transfer. As an HMRC approved Gift agent JustGiving can boost all eligible donations by 25% (though a 5% fee does apply for this service).
What to do next?
If you see a JustGiving ‘Donate Now’ button, please click it!
Thanking you, as always!
New Shelter Roof Proves to be a Success
Remus Horse Sanctuary, experts in the care of elderly equines, has shared pictures of its new shelter roof following a fundraising campaign earlier this year.
Remus raised £3,735, via JustGiving, in January and February to replace the roof after it began leaking again, despite two previous repairs.
Image 1: More beams were added to strengthen the roof and wooden supports were attached to the sides of the building to make the whole structure stronger. The electrics that had been getting wet from the previous leaking roof were removed and new timbers added before the lights could be reinstated.
39-year-old Megan can be seen here crunching on some tasty fresh hay. She has been with Remus since 2012 and has a heart issue, laminitis, arthritis and EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome). She is the sweetest of ponies.
Of the shelter, Sue Burton, Founder of the charity said, “We grew very concerned last year as the roof began to leak really badly. Pippa, Sophie, Dickie and Megan all share the shelter which opens out to a large laminitic paddock.
“The quote to replace the roof was £3,600 including VAT which seemed an awful lot at the time, especially as we’ve received very little in the way of donations over the past year and haven’t been able to carry out our normal fundraising efforts”.
Image 2: The completed project from the outside with the box profile steel sheeting attached. Treated timber battens were fixed over the existing felt to the entire roof area to reduce the bow in the roof bays.
Image 3: Pippa, warm and dry in the newly improved shelter. 25-year-old Pippa has been residing at the Sanctuary for many years now. The team worked with her to re-build her health and to encourage her confidence after previously having her spirit destroyed. In 2013/2014 Pippa underwent two serious eye operations to repair her sight and is a different animal now from when she arrived in 2009. She also has various health issues which we see in older horses including arthritis. The Ophthalmologist that performed her surgery sees her from time to time and is very pleased with how well the eye is performing. The surgery was for cataracts after she went blind, and it was because of Pippa being kept in whilst she was blind that the charity introduced music to play around the Sanctuary for the animals as it really helped calm her.
Like many charities, Remus has suffered greatly as a result of Covid-19.
“Towards the end of last year, we calculated that our deficit was somewhere in excess of £337,000 and obviously it has just continued to escalate since then.
“Winter is always much more expensive, with us needing to provide so much more food when grass isn’t available and the paddocks turn to mud and, even worse, get flooded. And many of our elderly horses require additional warmth too, which we provide via special electric lamps.”
There are numerous ways for members of the public to support the Sanctuary. Obviously donations are critical, but leaving a gift in your will, recycling, microvolunteering and clothes recycling are just some of the other ways that people can help. Visit www.remussanctuary.org/how-you-can-help to find out more. Both Megan and Pippa can be sponsored here.
“We are delighted to share pictures of our new shelter roof and we, Pippa and Dickie, Sophie and Megan are eternally grateful to everyone’s support. Our thanks to Malcolm and Paul at Ablefelt Roofing for the great job that they did.
“Hopefully we will see everyone in early May for our first Open Day – weather and safety permitting!”
For further information, visit www.remussanctuary.org or contact Sue Burton on tel: 01277 356191.
Remus Takes Part in Essex Lottery Case Study
As our supporters will know, Covid-19 all but wiped out our usual fundraising events in 2020. However, we still need approximately £400,000 a year for daily food, water and veterinary care. So, a few months ago, we decided to sign up as a good cause with Essex Lottery.
Sue Burton said: “If Covid-19 has taught us anything it’s the importance of staying local and investing in local. That really was the main appeal for us to sign up as a good cause. It was also incredibly easy and there were no sign-up costs.”
Sue was therefore delighted when Essex Lottery invited the Sanctuary to take part in a case study recently, where she was able to talk in depth about the work of the Sanctuary and some of its success stories, such as our blind mares Hollie and Grace. We very much hope that this will increase knowledge of our work thoughout Essex and help us raise some of those vitally-needed funds. You can read the full case study here.
Buy a ticket and support us
Please buy a ticket or two to support us, from only £1 a week.
We receive 50% of the ticket sale with another 10% going to other good causes in Essex.
There are weekly prizes of up to £25,000!
Get your ticket at www.essexlottery.co.uk/support/remus-memorial-horse-sanctuary.
Mother’s Day Gift Idea for a Socially Distanced World
For Mothering Sunday 2021, Remus Horse Sanctuary are offering to include a Mother’s Day card with hand-written personalised message within their sponsorship packages this year, to assist those unable to get out and shop or visit the Post Office during the current lockdown.
This year, Mother’s Day will fall on Sunday 14 March. Under current lockdown rules, non-essential shops such as card and gift shops, restaurants and pubs will remain shut. Indoor socialising will still be banned and people will still be advised to stay at home.
The team at Remus Horse Sanctuary are always looking for creative and imaginative ways to boost fundraising for the charity and the idea of adding a greetings card within the sponsorship package is highly relevant right now. Furthermore, funding continues to be problematic during 2021 and fundraising even more important than normal.
The sponsorship gift packages are popular at the Sanctuary all year round and offer a unique and different type of gift. Once lockdown rules are relaxed later in the year, the Sanctuary will be able to re-open to the public, and sponsors and recipients will be able to visit and meet their animals.
Details of the animals available for sponsorship and dates of all events are shared on the charity’s website at www.remussanctuary.org. To ensure delivery of the pack and greetings card for Mother’s Day, orders should be placed with first class post no later than 12 noon on Thursday 11 March. If orders are placed after this time or on Friday, a voucher can be emailed.
Sue Burton, Founder of the Sanctuary, said: “We find that horses such as the blind mares Holly and Grace and their two youngsters are particularly popular as Mother’s Day gifts due to their own particular stories, and orphans such as Dante and Charlie.”
For further information, visit www.remussanctuary.org or contact Sue Burton on tel: 01277 356191.
Cryptic Quiz to Entertain You
Jenny Palmer’s cryptic quizzes have for many years helped to provide a little of the much-needed funds for the Sanctuary.
Her present Lockdown Quiz is currently on sale at £1.50 a copy and there is a prize of £25 for the winner! The quiz is guaranteed to fill in some of those hours of boredom whilst in lockdown.
Obviously Jenny is unable to sell her quizzes at live events, so if you able to help her and, of course, the Sanctuary, by purchasing a copy please get in touch with her. Jenny can be contacted either by telephone on 01277 654065, by email at palmer38@sky.com, or by mail at 38 Little Norsey Road, Billericay, CM11 1BL.
Thank you for your support
New Year PUSH for New Shelter Roof
Happy New Year to you! Just before Christmas, we launched a new fundraising appeal to help us to build a new roof for one of our shelters which houses Pippa, Sophie, Dickie and Megan…
The area that we call the shelter is a large area enclosed on three sides with two gate size openings at the front which allows access to the laminitic paddock. This area is lived in by Pippa, Sophie, Dickie and Megan. If you were fortunate to visit us for the one Open Day of 2020 when we could actually open to the public, you may have seen it. It is the large barn on the right hand side as you enter the yard.
Last year we grew very concerned as the roof began to leak and, despite two patch up jobs the leaks have continued! It is very important for us to get this roof fixed prior to the really bad weather starting as these horses will need the protection.
We have received a quote for the works and, to fit the extra timbers to the inside, then fix treated timber battens over the existing felt to the entire roof area spaced from the eaves to top of the roof; pack some of these battens out to reduce the bow in the roof bays, and then fit PVC coated galvanised steel sheeting and barge boards to either end and flashing at the top…will cost £3,600 including VAT.
Will you help us raise the necessary funds by giving our appeal a big New Year PUSH?
You can donate online directly via this link: www.justgiving.com/campaign/NewShelterRoof and please do share the details of our appeal on your social media profiles and with your friends and family.
Thank you!
Huge Deficit Faced by Essex Horse Charity
Like many charities, Remus Horse Sanctuary is suffering financially due to the impact of Covid-19 on its fundraising activities. Founder, Sue Burton believes that the charity will be facing a funding gap somewhere in excess of £337,000 for events and fundraising activities cancelled so far this year, stating that it costs £450,000 per annum to remain open.
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“At the beginning of each year, I know that we have to find hundreds of thousands of pounds just to remain open, to feed the animals and to cover the medication bills,” said Ms Burton.
The majority of fundraising activities and events take place during the warmer months from March to October all of which, apart from one, have had to be cancelled. The deficit can be estimated at a sobering £10,500 per week.
Mounting a rescue operation is extremely expensive including equipment, medical expenses and transport costs. Though the greatest impact is felt by the charity once the animals are on-site at their Sanctuary near Ingatestone in Essex – financially, emotionally, physically and mentally – as Ms Burton explained:
“The majority of animals that we rescue are, at best, malnourished and full of worms. They may have been abandoned, neglected or mistreated. Some may not recognise food and hay, let alone know what to do with it. Some may be suffering from Cushings or Laminitis. Often their lower teeth are found growing into their top gums. Some may be crippled either by overgrown hooves or injury.
“Some will have shut down completely, near death, depressed and, despite all of our best efforts, just can’t be saved. It takes its toll on them and on us. But we can’t give up, we have to continue trying to help these magnificent creatures.”
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The charity was hoping that the few remaining events scheduled, along with their online gift shop, will generate some interest. However, as Essex has now been raised to Covid-19 Alert Level High, even those few sales are unlikely to happen.
The Christmas Gift Shop is now available online with some lovely gift items including stocking fillers, new and exclusive Christmas card designs for 2020 and a new wall calendar for 2021, which features a variety of rescued animals residing at the Sanctuary. Visit www.remussanctuary.org/product-category/christmas. The Sanctuary will also accept orders placed over the telephone.
New items for 2020 include a Christmas Biscuit Gift Drum (£3.50) available as Caramel and Sea Salt biscuits or Clotted Cream shortbread, Clotted Cream Fudge (£3.25) and Milk Chocolate Truffles (£4.50). The majority of items come with a choice of Christmas design.
Sponsorship of an animal, like Blax [pictured], can also make a lovely gift for animal lovers and welfare supporters – with horses, ponies, donkeys, cats, goats and sheep to choose from! More details can be found at: www.remussanctuary.org/how-you-can-help/sponsor/.
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One socially distanced Winter Sale is due to take place on Saturday 14 November at the Billericay Reading Rooms, Covid-19 alert level allowing. Full details of the event can be found on the charity’s website at www.remussanctuary.org/events.
“As always,” concluded Ms Burton, “we are deeply indebted for everyone’s support. Every winter is tough due to the spiralling costs, but this year will be extremely difficult. We implore the public for help. If they can’t donate, we really hope they can shop with us!
“I still believe that together, we can make a difference and that no animal should be born to die”.
For further information, visit www.remussanctuary.org or contact Sue Burton on tel: 01277 356191.
Recycle Your Ink Cartridges and Help Support Remus Horse Sanctuary
Did you know that you can help us raise vital funds simply by recycling your ink cartridges via our Recycle4Charity programme? And what’s more, this service is available both for individuals and for companies!
For each inkjet cartridge recycled via the programme we will receive a £1 donation, meaning you can help the environment whilst raising money for charity!
To start, all you need to do is go to one of the addresses shown below and sign up for your free account:
- For office recycling of ink tanks and toners visit: www.zerowasterecycling.co.uk/charity/C76482
- For individuals recycling inkjet cartridges visit: www.recycle4charity.co.uk/Register/C76482
With more people than ever working from home, this is a great way to help us and to avoid unnecessary landfill.
Please do share this information with your friends, family and colleagues.
Thank you for supporting Remus Horse Sanctuary.
Co-op Local Community Fund
We’re delighted that Remus Horse Sanctuary has been chosen to benefit from the Co-op Local Community Fund but the Fund closes on Saturday 24 October and we need your help to raise as much money from it as possible.
At a time when funds for community groups and charitable organisations are becoming more difficult to access, we’re incredibly grateful for this opportunity to make a real difference in Buttsbury, near Ingatestone in Essex.
We’re raising funds to improve the condition of our paddocks, to give the animals a better quality of life and enhance the visitor experience.
To help us raise vital funds, we’ll be relying on Co-op members. When a member buys selected products or services from the Co-op they earn a 5% reward for themselves, with a further 1% for local causes like ours.
The Co-op is looking to support organisations that make a difference in their local communities by protecting and improving community spaces, helping people reach their full potential by developing their skills or promoting health and wellbeing.
Co-op members can choose us as their local cause by visiting https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/34263.
We really hope that people will visit the website and donate their 1% to us.
If you’re not a member and would like to support us, you can join at your local store or online at www.coop.co.uk.
When a community comes together we’re able to achieve great things, so we hope you can help promote our project!
Thank you!