Redwings Horse Sanctuary has today (30 March) announced the closure of two of its visitor centres, Redwings Mountains in Forfar, Angus, and Redwings Oxhill in Warwickshire, following a staff consultation.

Thirty three staff have been made redundant, 12 at Mountains and 21 at Oxhill, and the centres are closed to visitors with immediate effect. Redwings’ remaining visitor centres in Norfolk and Essex are operating as normal.

All the resident horses, ponies and donkeys will be relocated to Redwings’ sites in Norfolk, and this includes the charity’s Adoption Stars. Anyone who supports Redwings by sponsoring a horse or donkey at one of these centres will receive further information about this in due course.

“This is an incredibly sad day for the charity,” said Chief Executive Lynn Cutress. “All the affected staff have been offered wellbeing support and help to find alternative employment wherever possible. I would like to personally thank them all most sincerely for their hard work and dedication to Redwings.

“Neither of these centres took in rescue cases directly and so the closure of these sites does not affect our ability to rescue horses from anywhere in the country, as we have always done. Redwings will continue to help horses in need, wherever and whenever we can. However, closing the centres will save vital and significant operating costs long-term, allowing us to secure the future of the 1000+ rescued horses in our Sanctuary care who rely on us every day. 

“Businesses and charities across the country are struggling severely – Redwings is certainly not alone. Costs have risen exponentially over the last few years, and we have needed to use our savings, known as reserves, for the past four years to fill the gap between our income and expenditure, which is something we knew was not sustainable in the long term. 

“We have been in a period of financial review for nearly two years, including seeking specialist external advice, and although we always hoped it would not be necessary to make such major changes, with the economic climate as it is and fluctuating almost daily, our Board of Trustees simply had no choice.

“Although these closures will make a significant difference, we continue to need your support, and anything you can give at this time would be greatly appreciated. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has already donated or offered their support at this incredibly painful time. We have been overwhelmed by your kind messages and donations and are so very grateful.”

Redwings Oxhill has been operating as a visitor centre for almost twenty years and Redwings Mountains became part of the Redwings family following a merger in 2015. Due to the age, nature and location of these two centres, they are the charity’s most expensive and challenging to run.

Redwings is one of the largest equine welfare charities in the UK with more than 1,000 rescued horses, ponies and donkeys in its Sanctuary care and over 700 more living out in Guardian homes.

The charity began in Norfolk, where it has its head office, several large sanctuary sites and two visitor centres, with one more near Harlow in Essex.

To support Redwings’ continued work, click here.

Lead image credit: Redwings Horse Sanctuary

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