Broom and Lachie perfect choice to launch Animal Purple Poppy Fund 2025
POPPY TRIBUTE: Broom and her foal Lachie pay homage to the thousands of Shire horses killed whilst serving in war.
Who better than these wonderful Shire horses from Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre, in Cheshire, to launch Animal Purple Poppy Fund 2025.
It’s hard to believe that majestic animals like these have been used over two world wars and their breed nearly became extinct. Conditions were hard for both man and beast, but these equids were treated with great respect and anyone found ill-treating a horse would be tied to the wheels of the wagons and flogged.
Not only were they used to transport weapons, but also to carry the dead and injured. War, however, took its toll on their numbers, In 1959 its thought just 2,000 thousand remained worldwide. In the 1970s, the Shire Horse Society and other organisations launched campaigns to save the breed, For more than 50 years our friends, the King family at Cotebrook, have been playing their part –breeding champion Shires like these two, Cotebrook Loch Broom and her foal Cotebrook Beinn Ghobhlach (Stable names Broom and Lachie).
Partners with former veterans
We are delighted to announce today partnership working with Veterans Response CIC, a community based organisation in South Shields, formed by ex-veterans who are committed to helping and supporting other former service personnel struggling to settle into civilian life.
With a team of experienced and dedicated professionals, the organisation provides help to veterans in need of support, education, training and employment. Some are used to working with animals, particularly horses, and know how important it is we recognise their service and sacrifice during conflict.
Indebted to our volunteers
We created and registered The Animal Purple Poppy Fund as a way of fundraising for animal charities. It is launched every year on June 8, the date we unveiled Poppy, our beautiful War Horse memorial in Ascot. We raise funds through the sale of metal pin badges for humans, and our knitted purple poppies for horses, donkeys, dogs and cats to wear on their bridles and collars.
We are indebted to all our volunteers and supporters who supply our boxes of badges to pet shops, schools and vets, and take them to agricultural and horse shows where they sell well. A particular mention to The Donkey Breed Society, Patrick the Celebrity Pony CIC and the Cotswold Wildlife Park who have been with us since launch.
If you would like to help us help our good causes then please get in touch. For more information contact info@thewarhorsememorial.org
