Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre (EHRC) like so many other charities is continuing to battle through the impact of the restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic. All of the centres usual sources of raising much needed funds have been detrimentally affected by the current situation.
Its charity shops are closed, open days are suspended and all charity fundraising events are cancelled and permanent workers are gone. The effects are financially devastating, particularly on top of the horrendous storms and the subsequent economic problems which the Centre endured last year, from which it was just starting to recover when the pandemic hit.
During lock down Sue and Rod Weeding, EHCRC 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 social distancing and the correct permission to travel of course).
Rod, 70, and Sue, 64, although feeling optimistic about the future are concerned about how the EHCRC Foundation will progress as the world starts to return to normality. One of the many issues to consider is, for example, the Charity Shops.
Sue explained: “These 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 has already been advised as to the expected costs of reopening and ensuring the new regulations are adhered to.
Sue said: “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.”
These worries aside, it is business as usual and on Friday night Rod and Sue having worked through another exhausting day, thought they’d finished for the evening when the Rojales Policia Local knocked on the door. An abandoned pony was in need of refuge and so Rod left his meal and headed off to the rescue.
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.
Sue said: “in the midst of this historical time for mankind we are so 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. Any help anyone can give would be very much appreciated.”