The Duchess of Cornwall has officially extended her presidency of Brooke, Action for Working Horses and Donkeys, a position she has held since 2006.
During her time as president, the Duchess has been a strong supporter of equine welfare and has travelled the world to see Brooke’s work with horses, donkeys and mules, and the people who depend on them.
“I’m thrilled that The Duchess of Cornwall has agreed to extend her presidency of Brooke,” said the charity’s chief executive, Chris Wainwright.
“It’s an exciting time at Brooke as we embark on our new five-year global strategy to transform the lives of even more working horses, donkeys and mules around the world and the people that depend on them. We are deeply grateful for The Duchess’s ongoing support and passion for animal welfare.”
On Friday 19 November, the Duchess visited Brooke’s sister organisation, the Brooke Hospital for Animals, Egypt in Cairo, where Dorothy Brooke founded the Old War Horse Memorial Hospital in 1934 and Brooke’s story began. While there, the Duchess met with veterinary staff and toured the newly refurbished stables, a mobile clinic and the farriery workshop.
This was Her Royal Highness’ second visit to the Cairo site, having visited with the Prince of Wales in 2006. Over the years, the Duchess has also visited Brooke’s work in Jordan, Pakistan and India, as well as number of events in the UK, including Brooke’s inaugural Christmas Carol Service in 2018.
Today, Brooke operates in over ten countries, with core offices in Ethiopia, East Africa, West Africa, India, Pakistan and Latin America & the Caribbean.
There are currently 100 million horses, donkeys and mules working worldwide, earning an income that around 600 million people rely on to survive.
Brooke works with owners, communities, local health providers and policy makers to implement positive, sustainable change to the lives of these animals, as well as continuing to reduce their immediate suffering.