Horse Rescue Centre Only Just Holding Their Own
Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre like so many others is continuing to battle through the impact of the restrictions due to the Covid 19 pandemic. All our usual sources of raising much needed funds have been detrimentally affected by the current situation. Charity Shops – CLOSED, Open Days – SUSPENDED, Charity Events – CANCELLED, permanent workers - GONE and the list goes on. Devastating financially particularly on top of the horrendous storms and the subsequent economic problems which the Centre endured last year, of which we were just starting to recover from when Corona hit.
During lock down Sue and Rod Weeding, the Co-founders, have almost singlehandedly continued to feed and take care of the 120 equines with a handful of dedicated, diehard volunteers who have so generously given their time to help in whatever way they can (with the correct permission to travel of course).
Rod, 70, and Sue, 64, although feeling optimistic about the future are concerned about how the Foundation will progress as the world starts to return to normality.
One of the many issues we have to consider is for example the Charity Shops. They are manned by a fantastic team of volunteers but the majority of them are in their 70s and 80s. There is no way we would ask nor expect any of them to put themselves at risk.
The Charity Shops will have to follow the same rules and regulations on safety, hygiene etc as any other business. It’s already evident that so many businesses cannot afford to start up again because of the closures and new regulations to re-open. EHCRC have already been advised as to the expected costs of reopening and ensuring the new regulations are adhered to. It’s logistically and financially impossible at the moment for us to open under these circumstances and it is not looking good for the foreseeable future.
There are so many other invisible expenses too which occur in order to facilitate the functioning of the Charity Shops just to give an example, the phone bill alone for last year just to deal with the collection and delivery of donated furniture was a staggering €3,557.
But in the midst of this historical time for mankind we are so very very grateful for our wonderful followers who have so kindly donated and this has allowed us to keep our heads above water or should we say the horses’ heads in their feed troughs! Literally that is where every single cent is going, on food and health care for the animals. The Centre just cannot afford at the moment to foot the bill for any other expenses.
You may have seen our live virtual Open Day which aired on the first Sunday of May. Well this may well be the future for some time. It was very well received and so many fantastic people donated so generously. There will be more by popular demand and not just in English but in Spanish too.
To end on a bitter sweet note – on Friday night Rod and Sue having worked through another exhausting day, thought they’d finished for the evening when there’s a knock at the door, it’s the Police, Rojales Policia Local! Abandoned pony in need of refuge. Rod’s dinner is left to go cold as he heads off with a Police escort to rescue the little pony. The Rojales Authorities are incredibly supportive of the Centre and Rod and Sue were happy to help in an emergency. But the good news is the next day the owner was found, the pony had escaped but is now back with its very grateful owner.
The sad news is on Sunday morning Sue and Rod awoke to yet another kick in the teeth, the contractors had decided to deliver €2,500 worth of forage late the night before with a forecasted storm – why? It was left strewn and uncovered and Rod could not move it in the mud following the torrential rain. Rod is awaiting a response from the contractors as we write!
EHCRC can only continue to rescue and care for these so very deserving animals that are currently in our care and those that will need us in the future, with the public’s help and support, your help and support. So please as always give as generously as you can.
– Written by Diane O’Neill