Broadcaster Alastair Stewart and comedian Rory Bremner joined actress Annette Badland and Olympic event riders Jane Holderness-Roddam and Gemma Stevens at horse and donkey charity Brooke’s Christmas carol service last week.
The service was held at the Royal Military Chapel (also known as the Guards’ Chapel) in Westminster on Thursday 12 December and marked the charity’s 90th anniversary.
Donkeys Pixie and Kiska greeted the guests as they entered the chapel.
As well as reading from the special guests, the service also included a performance from the Guards; Chapel Choir.
“We (Brooke supporters) support Brooke because we care passionately about working animals,” said Alastair, who is Brooke’s patron.
“The progress we (Brooke) have made globally on the evil donkey skin trade is a fantastic example of how we as human beings can really work together to benefit these animals.”
Celebrating 90 years of Brooke
Brooke is the world’s largest working equine welfare organisation and improves the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules across Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Its founder, Dorothy Brooke, saw the fate that former war horses were enduring in Egypt following the war.
Within three years she had purchased 5,000 former war horses and in 1934 she established the Old War Memorial Hospital in Cairo with the promise of free veterinary care for all the city’s working horses and donkeys.
“This very special evening commemorated the 90th anniversary of Brooke’s commitment to ending the suffering of working horses, donkeys and mules across the world,” said Chris Wainwright, ceo of Brooke.
“The performance from the Guards’ Chapel Choir was phenomenal, and we are so grateful to all that attended to give their support.
Brooke’s 90th anniversary events are sponsored by The Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust who have donated more than £1 million to the charity to date.
Image credits: Brooke
