Blue Cross in Rolleston celebrates 15 years of helping horses in need
This week, Blue Cross Animal Rehoming Centre in Rolleston-on-Dove is celebrating 15 years of helping hundreds of horses in need. Activities to mark the occasion are being held all week through the centre’s Facebook page and all are invited to join in the fun.
The charity in Rolleston has helped 879 plus five donkeys plus the more recent addition of a cattery has taken in an rehomed 272 cats, five Guinea pigs, and two rabbits both onsite and though the volunteer fosterers recruited since August 2017.
Maria Kavanagh, Centre Manager at Blue Cross in Rolleston said: “We are so proud to be celebrating 15 years of helping horses. Many have come to us severely neglected and not used to human handling and it has been a joy to see them come out of their shells and go into loving homes.”
Blue Cross in Rolleston began admitting homeless horses in June 2006. At the centre’s official opening special guests Mrs Brenda Luke and Mrs Susan Brown, great nieces of Robert Archer who bequeathed the land to Blue Cross in memory of his late wife Hilda, cut the ribbon to declare the new centre open.
Shadow was one of the first horses taken in at the centre. He was given up due to behavioural reasons and the centre needed to work with him to help his needs. He then became ‘school master’, reassuring and building confidence in horses needed rehabilitation. He has since been rehomed for retirement.
Events will all be virtual through the centres Facebook page and include:
- Meet the team
- Virtual tour of the centre and meet horses looking for homes
- Ponies rehomed over the 15 years
- Training videos
- How the site has changed over 15 years.
The tack shop will also return on Saturday 27 and Sunday 27 June from 10.00am – 3.00pm.
Equestrian Olympian and Blue Cross Ambassador Mary King said: “I’d like to wish all at Blue Cross Rolleston a very happy 15th anniversary. The hard work carried out by the teams at the centre has helped rehabilitate and rehome so many horses, giving them the second chance they deserve. I can’t thank them enough, their dedication is truly admirable.”
Blue Cross does not receive any government funding and relies on the support of the public to continue its vital work.
For more information, to see the horses and ponies and other pets looking for a home or to make a donation towards their care visit www.bluecross.org.uk or contact Blue Cross at Rolleston on 0300 777 1520, email rolleston@bluecross.org.uk. You can also join us keep up with the latest centre news and join the anniversary activities on Blue Cross in Rolleston Facebook page.
