REDWINGS Horse Sanctuary is offering the chance for Christmas shoppers to purchase a unique and thoughtful gift for their loved ones which will help ensure hundreds of rescued horses will continue to enjoy a safe and happy home.

With the closure of its visitor centres and cancellation of community fundraising events due to coronavirus restrictions, the charity’s ability to fundraise for its 1,500 rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules has been severely impacted this year.

However, supporters can help by sponsoring a Redwings “Adoption Star” horse or donkey as a gift this Christmas, and every penny goes towards their care and that of their four-legged friends at the Sanctuary.

Sponsorship costs from just £15 a year, and there are 22 adorable Adoption Stars to choose from, each with their own story to tell.

From miniature Shetland pony Tinkerbell to spotty donkey Dotty, who both live at Redwings’ Ada Cole Visitor Centre near Harlow, Essex, there’s a wide array of characters enabling everyone to find the perfect new friend. 

As part of their adoption, sponsors will receive a special pack including a certificate and their Adoption Star’s story and photograph, as well as postal updates and access to their online diary featuring images and stories from their life at Redwings.

Debbie Scott, Redwings’ Head of Fundraising, said: “We’ve had many lovely comments from sponsors this year saying how comforting it has been to receive updates from their Adoption Stars during the lockdowns. Supporters have also enjoyed purchasing adoptions as thoughtful gifts for others because you can still get to know your Adoption Star horse or donkey through letters and online blogs, even if you can’t get out to visit them.

“What’s really important, however, is that by showing friendship to a loved one through the sponsorship of an Adoption Star, you’re also giving the gift of friendship to rescued horses and donkeys who need your support now more than ever.”

A video explaining more about the Adoption Scheme and what it has meant to supporters in this especially challenging year, can be viewed here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8p-iH0JG91E

To sponsor a Redwings Adoption Star this Christmas, visit www.redwings.org.uk/adoption or call 01508 481000.

Redwings Ada Cole (EN9 2DH) is currently closed due to the coronavirus lockdown in England. For the latest information about opening hours, please visit www.redwings.org.uk/visitinghttp://www.redwings.org.uk/visiting.