05 June 2020

#CoronaChronicles: Week 11

We know many of our supporters are very keen to travel to our visitor centres once again, and we can’t wait to welcome you back either, but for now we ask for your patience as we look at the ways we may be able to open our doors again when we are permitted to do so, ensuring we follow Government guidance and carry out all the proper assessments and checks so we can do it in the safest way possible.

As a first step, this week we have circulated the results of a thorough risk assessment document to all staff, updating them on the measures everyone should continue to take – no matter their role or location – to keep themselves and their fellow colleagues safe as the country transitions its way out of lockdown.

In summary, we are continuing to adhere to cleaning, handwashing and hygiene procedures (in line with Government guidance), taking reasonable steps to help people continue to work from home where they can, reiterating the need for all staff to maintain a two-metre distance in the workplace and, where people cannot physically be this distance apart (e.g. during a veterinary procedure), we are doing everything practical to manage their risk.

Thank you to all our staff who have worked hard to adapt their practices to ensure we met - and continue to meet - the rules of the lockdown while making sure our rescued horses and donkeys remain well cared for at the same time.

A big thank you also goes to everyone who has sent us their well wishes, as well as those who have supported us by donating to our emergency coronavirus appeal. Thank you all!

Your support has been especially heartening while our visitor centres have been closed. Having to shut our doors, including our gift shops and cafes, is expected to result in a £150,000 loss in income by the end of this month, which is likely to rise to £350,000 if we’re unable to open before September.

Here are just some ways you’ve recently been helping us through this worrying time:

Equilibrium Products have donated an incredible £4,104.88, which they raised from the sale of horse-friendly advent calendars and crackers in the run-up to Christmas last year. The company also kindly designed the packaging of the products to incorporate information about our Adoption Scheme, in particular our Adoption Star pony Rumpel, who they sponsor. Thank you so much to Equilibrium Products for their generous support!
We continue to gratefully receive donations of horse feed from local companies. Recently, Alison’s Equestrian & Pet Supplies delivered 22 sacks of horse feed to our headquarters in Norfolk on behalf of a very kind supporter. What a wonderful surprise!
Having had to cancel our annual Redwings Show, we decided to take the event online and have been blown away by your response! By the time entries closed on Sunday (31^st May), we had received 620 class entries in the form of your photos and videos and raised more than £2,200! Thank you to everyone who took part. Please take a look at our social media pages to see all the wonderful winners!

If you’d still like to show your support for Redwings, there are still plenty of ways you can get involved from home! For example, there’s still time to take part in our Mane Event online fundraiser, which has so far raised an amazing £1,548! Why not help us reach our fundraising target of £2,000 by clicking here https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/the-mane-event

Thank you #RedwingsAngels!