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Today we mark the one-year anniversary of the loss of our beloved Phoenix.
For those who don’t know, Phoenix came to us in August 2021 in a very bad way. This young foal had been severely burned in a devastating arson attack on his stables in Kent, and after initial round-the-clock care from Lingfield Equine Vets he was brought to Redwings so we could give him the ongoing intensive support he so desperately needed.
Our teams pulled out all the stops, taking it in turns to feed him and spend time with him, spending hours tending to his wounds, changing his bandages and taking him for walks with his foster mum, Mildred. We were all amazed at how this little pony who had been through such hell at such a young age could be so trusting and gentle and everyone truly fell in love with him.
Our incredible team of vets and veterinary nurses tried everything they could to save him, and were overwhelmed by donations of medicines and dressings from our supporters and offers of assistance from wound experts and veterinary surgeons from around the world – a team of expert nursing staff from a human burns unit in London even got in touch to see if they could help.
Devastatingly, the damage prooved just too severe and Phoenix sadly passed away one year ago today, on Tuesday 19th October 2021. We will never forget the rainbow that appeared over the Horse Hospital at that very moment.
The remembrance stone above, in tribute to Phoenix, can be found at our Caldecott Visitor Centre. The image used was based on a beautiful artwork drawn by Georgie Hollis from Intelligent Wound Care who wanted to envisage how he would look without his injuries. Georgie was a huge help with Phoenix's care, and we're so grateful to her.
We’d also like to thank the team at Lingfield Equine Vets and everyone who donated and sent incredibly kind messages to support us during that heart-breaking time.
Phoenix went on the win Horse & Hound's Pony of the Year Award for 2021 and is the inspiration behind the new Animal Hero of the Year Award for this year's Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards, for which Redwings is the sponsor.
RIP little Phoenix. We and all of the #RedwingsAngels will never forget you.
