Happy to help: We donate £1000 to East Sussex rescue centre after storm damage leaves donkeys and ponies without shelter

OUT IN THE COLD: Storm Darragh left these donkeys without cover

The horses, ponies and donkeys at Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, in East Sussex, were left without outdoor protection recently when high winds from Storm Darragh flattened one of the equine field shelters. 

Luckily, none of the herd were outside at the time. But as you can see from the pictures damage was irreparable. Raystede contacted us to see if we could help. Thanks to your support The War Horse Memorial was able to offer £1,000 from our Animal Purple Poppy Fund towards the cost of a new shelter. 

BLOWN AWAY: Home to donkeys and ponies at Raystede.

Fundraising Manager, Marianne Eyre said: “The staff, volunteers and animals at Raystede thank War Horse Memorial and its Animal Purple Poppy Fund for their generous donation to help provide a new equine shelter for our ponies and horses.

NO ENTRY: After Storm Darragh.

“The winter brings new hurdles for us at Raystede. With rising costs, it is already challenging to provide all the heating, lighting and food our animals need, without unexpected expenses like replacing an equine shelter due to storm damage. Thank you for being there for our vulnerable animals this winter and enabling us to keep them warm and safe.”

Founder Miss Mabel Raymonde-Hawkins established Raystede’s first rescue centre in 1952. Since that time she has been committed to help, rehabilitate, rehome and give sanctuary to animals in need.

Today Raystede is one of the most diverse rescue centres in the UK because it cares for so many different species of animals. At any one time there are about 400 vulnerable animals on a 43-acre site.

For more information on ways you can help email info@raystede.org or call 01825-840252. Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare is at The Broyle, Ringmer, East Sussex, BN8 5AJ.