Visitors at Redwings Horse Sanctuary are being invited to give the gift of carrots and support rescued horses and donkeys this International Carrot Day.
From Friday 30th March to Monday 2nd April, Carrot Drop Stops will be springing up at each of the charity’s five visitor centres in Norfolk, Essex, Warwickshire and Angus, where supporters are welcome to leave a bag of carrots or make a £1 or £5 donation towards funding nutritious meals for the 1,500 rescued residents being cared for by Redwings nationwide.
International Carrot Day is celebrated every year on 4th April to raise awareness of the versatility and health benefits of the vegetable.
As well as providing Carrot Drop Stops, Redwings’ visitor centres will also be hosting a special series of activities on Saturday 31st March and Sunday 1st April showcasing just some of the ways carrots can be used to provide enrichment for horses and donkeys.
Using recycled items such as cardboard boxes and ropes, Redwings’ teams will teach visitors how to make simple toys and games which they could even try at home for their own four-legged friend. They’ll then be able to watch the horses and donkeys as they sniff out the hidden carrots in the boxes or tease them from ropes using their teeth and noses!
Visitors will also be able to test their carrot knowledge with a special quiz trail!
Alison Lanchester, Redwings’ Head of Fundraising, said: “Carrots make wonderfully nutritious snacks for our horses and donkeys, but this humble vegetable – coupled with some recycled items from around the house – can soon be transformed into fantastic enrichment games for our rescued residents.
“We hope as many people as possible will come along and have a go, or simply drop off some carrots or donate to help feed our horses and donkeys. Just £1 could pay for a tasty nibble for a rescued resident, while £5 could fund two nutritious feeds! Don’t worry if you’re unable to visit, you can still join in the celebrations by donating online.
“While they make a great snack, it’s also important to remember that carrots should only be given as occasional treats so make sure to leave your donations at our special Carrot Drop Stops and our teams will ensure our grateful residents get to enjoy them in the most healthy and responsible way.”
Redwings’ visitor centres are open every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 10am to 4pm (closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays). Entry is free and dogs on leads are welcome.
To find out more, visit www.redwings.org.uk/visiting
