Im aware that so many Charities are hard pressed at the moment with funding down everywhere. However, Im asking you to consider just a small donation to the Brooke. Weve not set the target too high but even £500 could be used to such advantage in the countries supported by the Brooke.

Last year I had the great pleasure of interviewing Grant Hayter Menzies who has written a superb book about Dorothy Brooke (The War Horses of Cairo). Dorothy went to Egypt with her husband and was appalled at the terrible condition of horses left behind after the First World War. Back in England she raised awareness and a surprising amount of funding and was the inspiration for a Charity which does so much good work with the people who rely for their livelihoods on Equines. The conditions in which some of these animals work are dire - they suffer from a lack of water and proper harnessing to mention just two of the problems. The Brooke helps with education and funding to ensure the Equines receive better care thus enabling the owners to maintain their livelihoods. They train people to become farriers and harness makers; to treat their animals with respect.

Ive never owned or ridden a horse. I abhor cruelty to animals and am drawn to the Ethic of the Brooke reminding me of the saying Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day - teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.The Brooke adheres to the principle of alleviating poverty by facilitating self-sufficiency.

You can obviously visit my little garden for nothing at all, but Id love it if you would consider donating a few pounds to The Brooke helping horses, donkeys and mules to be better cared for and also contributing more to the livelihood of their owners. Even the price of a cup of coffee would be gratefully received.

You can watch my virtual garden here: https://www.thebrooke.org/news/jan-leeming-supports-bloom-brooke

Thank you in advance.

Best wishes, Jan