A small Berkshire horse charity has again received a funding boost from Persimmon.

Saving Abandoned Fly-Grazed Equines (SAFE) has received £1,000 through the Community Champions scheme.

SAFE is a small local charity that has been rescuing abandoned and abused horses and ponies since it was founded in the winter of 2014. Sadly, say the charity, they have had to expand due to an increased need to help more and more horses.

Kirsty Mackie, a Trustee from the charity said: “Our running costs are phenomenal. Horses are expensive to keep in normal conditions but some of the animals needing our help are in a terrible condition, which requires very expensive veterinary treatment. It is always our aim to rehabilitate our rescues and re-home them. This is however not always possible due to their complex medical and behavioural needs, so they become long term residents.

“Two of our horses have recently been very ill, with one requiring an expensive knee operation and the other significant treatment for abdominal issues. Both are on the road to recovery but we struggle to meet the costs of the veterinary care needed to maintain the progress they are making in order for them to fully recuperate on top of running costs. They, along with several other horses are currently on stable rest. This hugely increases our costs for bedding, special diets, hay, etc.

“Thank you so much to Persimmon Homes for this funding, we are absolutely over the moon to once more be selected a Community Champion. It means so much to us and the £1,000 will go a long way to helping our rescue horses.”

On behalf of Persimmon Thames Valley, sales director Rachel Faulkner said: “We are delighted to again be able to help out with a donation from our Community Champions programme. SAFE is run entirely by volunteers, so we know that this funding will go directly towards the welfare of the horses.”