Charity News

BRANSBY HORSES,

YOU'VE GOT THE SKILLS. WE'VE GOT THE OPPORTUNITIES. ALL WE NEED IS YOU TO VOLUNTEER

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity is seeking volunteers for a variety of rewarding roles to help support the local Armed Forces community. SSAFA provides financial, practical, and emotional support for serving personnel, veterans, and military families across the UK and worldwide. All backgrounds and experiences are welcomed to volunteer, and a military background is not essential. SSAFA promotes inclusivity and diversity and would encourage anyone to consider volunteering for the opportunity to inspire and guide others with the wisdom and perspective you have in life. The volunteer roles are varied, flexible and very rewarding, giving back to those that have served. Previous experience is not necessary as training will be provided. Retired BT Manager, Eric Smith, is Chairman of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan branch of SSAFA. Though he does not have direct experience of being in the military, he was inspired to join because of his son who served in the Territorial Army. “I'm very proud of the work that SSAFA does. It's just the satisfaction of knowing you're doing something worthwhile instead of twiddling your thumbs or looking for your next holiday. You're doing something useful. Once you've given up work, it can be difficult to get a focus. But this is a wonderful focus, because you're doing good in the world, and that's quite something these days, knowing you've helped people. That's the real key, for me. “Anyone thinking about volunteering for SSAFA, give it a try. There are different roles you can do which will suit you and your lifestyle, so I would always say go for it.” Everyone who offers their time to volunteer with SSAFA makes a huge difference. If you are interested in volunteering for SSAFA, please visit: www.ssafa.org.uk/volunteer

one of the UK’s largest equine welfare and rescue charities, have faced their most challenging year to-date.

Following recent Government guidance, the charity has closed their doors once again to the public until 1st April 2021; however, their dedicated teams have continued to work hard for equines in need through what is proving to be the most challenging time in their 52-year history. The charity relies solely on public support to help them care for the hundreds of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules across their two sites in Lincolnshire, and fund their vital rescue and welfare work across the UK. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become evident that the demand for animal welfare charities, such as Bransby Horses, are on the rise. This could be due to many different factors such as; owner’s ill health and financial hardship, through to increased concerns for equine welfare. In 2020 alone, 96 equines were rescued from bad conditions or were willingly signed over to Bransby Horses. The cost of caring for an equine is an average of £30 per day and the charity has over 300 equines in their care. With this in mind the charity needs your support now, more than ever, to continue the life changing work they do. There are many ways to support the charity from donating, fundraising and purchasing products via the online shop, to leaving a gift in your Will. To find out more, please contact us on 01427 788 464 or visit BransbyHorses.co.uk

ROBBIE THE

ROBIN receives urgent medical treatment and is released back into the wild

At Tiggywinkles, they are dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating British wildlife. They are open 24hrs a day, 7 days a week to help any wild animal in need and their service is free of charge. They rely on donations to provide their life-saving care for patients like Robbie the robin, who arrived in their care under unusual circumstances! As the World’s leading teaching wildlife hospital, they have lots of students on site and one of their Level Two Animal Care Wild Futures rescues and offers sanctuary to monkeys who have suffered abuse and neglect. They are dedicated to protecting primates They receive no government funding, so the generosity of those that remember Wild Futures is essential to enable them to continue their work. Help protect primates and their habitats students found Robbie on the pathway of their grounds. She immediately realised he needed help as he was lying flat and couldn’t fly. She rushed him into triage and their duty nurse quickly assessed his condition. and their habitats worldwide – primates are A legacy can be the gift of a life worth living and Sadly, Robbie was suffering from temporary ataxia – the loss of endangered due to climate change, habitat a wild and safe future for all. coordination and control of movement – and the team suspected destruction and the bush-meat and pet trades. For some species, it is too late. The future of all that remains lies in our hands, so leaving a legacy to Wild Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on so many people, charities, and organisations worldwide. Wild Futures are facing their hardest couple of years in their history he had sustained head trauma. To treat his symptoms, their vet put Robbie on a short course of antibiotics and pain relief. After one week of treatment, Robbie was once again flying around his cage and was ready for release. Futures is the gift of life and and are appealing for help to see They were so happy that they could help this beautiful bird a future for primates and our wonderful planet. Wild Futures’ holistic approach makes them unique – providing sanctuary to rescued monkeys, supporting projects overseas, campaigning for primate welfare, educating to protect primates worldwide and them through this time. If you would like to know more about them, and their Covid-19 emergency appeal, please visit www.wildfutures.org/ covid-19-emergency-appeal. Thank you For more information call 01503 262532, email fundraising@wildfutures.org or visit the back to the wild and although they never want any wild animal to find itself in trouble, it is nice to think that they know where to come, should they ever need help! Their doors are always open to any wild animal in need, even walk-ins! To help them care for patients like Robbie, please consider donating. They receive no government or lottery funding, so they need your help – every penny helps Tiggywinkles help them! www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk Charity News promoting a sustainability and ethical ethos. website at www.wildfutures.org RETIREMENT today 29