A CHARITY for rescued horses and ponies is holding a Grand Summer Fayre to protect its animals from a winter food crisis.

Bolenowe Animal Sanctuary on The Lizard was badly hit earlier this year by the worst weather in memory that turned its 30 acres into a muddy quagmire and cost the charity thousands of pounds for bought-in feed, right through into the summer.

A spokesman said: “Normally, our 70 horses and ponies can go out in early spring to feed on our fields. But this year, the winter weather had been so bad that the fields took much longer to recover – and then the long hot dry spell arrived that parched the fields and turned them from mud to desert!

“It all means that we have had to continue to buy in food at high summer prices, with a big knock-on effect on our finances at a time when all charity costs are rising.

“It takes well over £200,000 a year to run Bolenowe. That’s around £4,000 a week – or £600 a day.”

So to guard against another winter set-back, Bolenowe is hosting a special gala on Sunday, August 12 at its home just outside Ruan Minor.

“We’re inviting everyone to come and meet our four-legged residents, have fun – and at the same time help Bolenowe through the next winter,” the spokesman added. “We’d also warmly welcome anyone who would like to help, either by fund-raising, giving a home to one of our carefully-selected ponies, helping on the day or sending a donation.

"We’d be hugely grateful – and so would our lovely horses and ponies!”

Among the attractions will be a fun dog show – including a local mystery guest star from this year’s Cruft’s – demonstrations of Bolenowe’s gentle horse training that prepares ponies to be rehomed, stalls, games, food and drink and much more.

The sanctuary will be open from 11am, entrance will be free, and dogs on leads welcome.

Anyone interested in helping in any way is asked to get in touch by emailing fundraising@bolenowe.co.uk