2024 Animal Purple Poppy Fund is up and running

Animal lovers joined across the country to launch The War Horse Memorial’s 2024 Animal Purple Fund and to mark February 24 as the first International War Animal Day.

Out young Ambassadors Zahra and Sophia Villiers, from Wellingborough, persuaded their local Tesco supermarket to allow them to sell pin badges and bracelets which raised £85.63. Well done girls

Torquay did us proud, too. Patrick the celebrity and therapy pony wore his purple poppy cloak as Torbay’s Civic Mayor, Councillor Mark Spacagna, Ambassadors, the Petrakis family, and supporters stood in silence while a flag was raised and candles lit to remember animals who gave service and sacrifice during two World Wars.

In Worthing, Jennifer Hawkins visited the Warrior Bird Garden in Beach House Park to light a purple candle in remembrance of the role that pigeons have played in conflict. The garden was built in the late 1940s to commemorate messenger pigeons which allowed troops to communicate with each other. In particular they were used during WW1 to carry messages to and from the front in France and Belgium. Jennifer’s black Labrador, Willow, proudly wore a knitted purple poppy.

In nearby Mid Sussex, Woody a golden Labrador, could be seen wearing his poppy all week in the lead up to February 24 and our newest Junior Ambassador, Thomas, lit a candle too.

From top left: Zahra and Sophie Villiers raising funds in Wellingborough; Jennifer Hawkins at the Warriro Bird Garden in Worthing; Labradors Woody and Willow wearing their poppies; All Saints Church, Ascot and Thomas, from Mid Sussex, lit a candle in remembrance, too.

Candles were also lit in All Saints Church, Ascot before the laying of purple wreaths at the feet of Poppy, our War Horse Memorial, in the town by co-founder of The War Horse Memorial Alan Carr MBE, Ambassador Michael Thompson and others. A solitary candle, pictured at the top of the page, to remember animals in war flickered in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Jimmy, a donkey described as a “much loved war hero” by the people of Peterborough was honoured by members of the Eastern Region of the Donkey Breed Society. Jimmy was born in June 1916, during some of the bloodiest fighting of the First World War, after his mother – who carried supplies from the rear to the frontline – was fatally wounded by an enemy shell. As the Battle of the Somme raged, soldiers of 1st Scottish Rifles delivered the soon to be orphaned foal and christened him Jimmy.

The much-loved donkey became the Scottish Rifles’ unofficial mascot, boosting morale and bringing cheer to the beleaguered men. It is said that he would even raise his front leg in salute when greeting each soldier.

Othe events included a blessing of donkeys and ex-racehorses from the Bishop of Bewcastle, Cumbria, on farms where horses had been sent to war; a visit to Leyland Cenotaph, where Society member, Pam took a picture of her great grandad and his horse Tom; a gathering of DBS members for lunch in the Southern Region; a further gathering in Northern Ireland and a walk with donkeys in Castlewellan Park, with children ‘planting’ memorial crosses in remembrance.

The Donkey Breed Society is a registered charity providing support and friendship to a nationwide community that shares a passion for donkeys. DBS Chair, Rosemary Clark, said: “Throughout the UK members came together to ensure that those animals, who did not have a choice, were remembered. Our members went out into their local communities and raised awareness of this important event and we thank the many vets, saddlery outlets, shops and feed stores that have also mounted poignant displays.”

From top left: A quiet moment of reflection in Northern Ireland; Children place their purple poppy crosses; Donkeys and dogs come to pay their respects; Gill and Holly from Hope Valley Saddlery in Derbyshire support the day; Jess Goddard with her purple poppy painting; Pam, Carys and Booboo at the Cenotaph in Leyland; remembering in Northern Ireland and members of the Donkey Breed Society’s Soithern Region get together for lunch. Finally, a blessing for former racehorses in Cumbria.