Want to offer your support to horses and their owners affected by the war in Ukraine? Here are some of the causes to donate to, in order to make sure your money goes to the places it is really needed.
British Equestrians for Ukraine
Leading organisations and individuals across Britain’s equestrian community have united to form ‘British Equestrians for Ukraine’ which aims to help horses and their owners caught up in the crisis created by the Russian invasion.
It comes after the Ukrainian Equestrian Federation has issued an urgent call for supplies on the ground, including feed, forage and shavings, and with a groundswell of support from the industry, there was need to help co-ordinate the offers of assistance, as well as raise money to fund aid directly to where it is needed.
Spearheaded by British Equestrian (BEF), The British Horse Society (BHS), the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) and World Horse Welfare, with the support of member bodies across the industry, British Equestrians for Ukraine has been set up to help facilitate a supply chain.
How you can help
British Equestrians for Ukraine say the most immediate and direct benefit will come from donations, for equines via the British Equestrians for Ukraine Fund (worldhorsewelfare.org), and humanitarian http://www.donation.dec.org.uk/ukraine-humanitrian-appeal Donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal will be match funded by the UK Government up to £25 million and funds from Oxfam and the Red Cross are being channelled to the REC.
If any companies can help with donations of “reasonable quantities” of the following in packs weighing less than 20kgs, contact BETA on info@beta-uk.org who can help with the logistics of supply:
- Small packaged haylage/forage
- Compound/hard feed
- Shavings
Find out more here.
Veterinary initiative
The veterinary profession has come together to provide direct support for medics in Ukraine – both human and veterinary.
Under the banner of British Veterinary Professionals for Ukraine, they are calling for urgent physical donations of medical supplies as well as financial donations for delivery direct to Ukraine.
British Veterinary Professionals for Ukraine (https://www.facebook.com/groups/britishvetsforukraine) are urgently appealing for further donations. With the Ukraine Medical Association, they filled three ambulances that left on 15 March and further shipments were planned.
There are a number of ways people can support this initiative:
- Supplies can be sent to BVP4UA c/o Hoermann Equine, Wrights Lodge East, Oakham Road, Whissendine, Rutland, LE15 7HA. A list of specific requirements is available on the BVP4UA Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/britishvetsforukraine
- Veterinary practices can purchase supplies through their regular wholesalers (MWI/Covetrus/NVS) and have them delivered direct to BVP4UA by emailing their wholesaler with details of what they want to donate. Other companies who do not operate through wholesalers may also be prepared to deliver direct.
- Cash donations can be made via gofundme to allow direct purchasing of the most needed veterinary supplies https://gofund.me/f7f25366
Find out more here.
South west businesses
A team of equestrian businesses are working together to provide urgent supplies to horses in the Ukraine.
Craig Harris from Event Paramedic Services will be travelling to Poland with his 7.5 tonne lorry with feed, rugs and medical equipment for the horses that have been displaced across the country.
You can donate to the cause by clicking here
Find out more here
