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Ukraine volunteer Charlotte Thorneycroft wins unsung hero award for her work with equine rescue charity
On 2 March, at the independent National Equine Forum (NEF) held in Westminster, volunteer Charlotte Thorneycroft was presented with the Sir Colin Spedding Award for her work with Ukraine’s equines via the charity British Equestrians for Ukraine Fund, itself set up by World Horse Welfare.
The annual award, which was established in 2013 after the death of NEF founder Sir Colin Spedding, recognises the work of exceptional unsung heroes involved in the equestrian world who have not had their efforts acknowledged elsewhere.
At the conference, Charlotte presented a talk detailing her experience with the charity in 2022. This vital service included working in a war zone, where she single-handedly unloaded 40-tonne lorries containing aid, as well as providing places of safe refuge for families and equines in need. In an around-the-clock mission, Charlotte also helped evacuate horses from Ukraine to Poland, where a temporary respite hub had been established.
At the end of her moving talk, delegates at the conference spontaneously and unanimously took to their feet to give Charlotte a standing ovation in recognition of her achievement and her dedication to the cause.
After the event, Charlotte said: “I am truly humbled by the response in the auditorium and the comments I have received. It was a huge team effort and one where I was lucky to be a small cog who saw the highs and lows firsthand. A truly life changing year. Thank you all for your support of both the Ukrainian Fund and of me. There is still a great need for support given that the situation in Ukraine remains so desperate for so many.”
To find out more or make a donation visit, worldhorsewelfare.org
Photo credit: Craig Payne Photography
