Tributes across country to commemorate National War Animal Day

A simple gesture with enormous implications on National War Animal Day. Alan Carr MBE, co-founder of The War Horse Memorial, right, Ambassador Jennifer Hawkins and President Michael Thompson, from left, along with Ambassador Mickey, Brown lay purple wreaths at the feet of Poppy our War Horse, which stands in Ascot, to remember the service and sacrifice of tens of thousands of animals in wars.

They were joined by many across the UK who were paying their own respects by wearing purple pin badges and attaching knitted poppies onto the collars of beloved horses, donkeys, dogs (like Woody pictured at foot of page) and cats.

Welcome to our latest supporters from North Wales

Introducing Maggie and Max Jones, two of our newest supporters who live in Wrexham. They got in touch after reading about The Animal Purple Poppy Fund and wanted to help. Maggie says: “We are both retired and I charity knit for the homeless, OAP homes and local football team to raise funds. We both love animals and support animal welfare charities. I have knitted poppies for the Royal British Legion and have always been heartbroken thinking of the animals during the war.

“So I’m adding purple poppies and The War Horse Memorial onto my list of good causes and here is the first batch of many. We are placing boxes of your pin badges and knitted poppies in our local vets and dental practices and encouraging family and friends to buy and wear.”

Poppy pin badges in demand at The Horse Trust

Kelly Chudleigh-Smith, hospitality manager at The Horse Trust, one of our chosen charities, has also been in touch. She  says sales of our pin badges are once again proving popular with visitors and needs new stock to compete with demand.

The War Horse Memorial is proud to work with the Trust. For 137 years the charity’s Home of Rest for Horses has specialised in providing retirement and respite for working horses and ponies. These hard-working equine public servants have played important roles in the Police, the Army and with charities which use horses to help people. The Trust also provides sanctuary to horses, ponies and donkeys who have suffered from cruelty or neglect. Those in desperate need of specialist treatment and care.

We’re heading to Your Horse Live event

The War Horse Memorial has been contacted by the event organisers of Your Horse Live, an annual weekend at the National Agricultural and Exhibition Centre at Stoneleigh Park, in Warwickshire, which runs from November 10-11.  This is the biggest equine and equestrian show of its kind in the UK and we have been invited as special guests and to bring boxes of our pin badges and knitted poppies. Our friends at The Horse Trust and World Horse Welfare will be there, too.

Still time to join War Horse Walk

You can still sign up for the War Horse Walk, which takes place through Pamber Forest on August Bank Holiday Monday (August 28). Our Ambassador Simon Greaves, of Little London, Hampshire, is the organiser and all are welcome, either in person or virtually. Just register your interest at www.arthurthewarhorse.co.uk/events

• The Animal Purple Poppy Fund uses the Poppy® trademark under licence from the Royal British Legion, but is not endorsed by, or affiliated with or otherwise connected with the Royal British Legion.

Labrador Woody proudly wears his kniited purple poppy to commemorate National War Animal Day.