Cecil's Horse Sanctuary in Elstree looking for 'guardian angels'

Cecil's Horse Sanctuary in Elstree offers a loving permanent home to horses and ponies who are old, abandoned, neglected, abused or unwanted.

The charity relies solely on donations and the hard work of its founder Julie Blake and her volunteers - although in the past, the sanctuary has been targeted by vandals and thieves.

With the cold weather now drawing in, Cecil's has launched its winter fundraiser in the hope of being able to buy what it needs to keep the horses and ponies warm, safe, and well-fed.

The sanctuary is raising money in order to make stable and shelter repairs, get over 50 rugs cleaned, buy extra bedding for the stables, purchase hay, and pay for vet and farrier bills as well as feed.

Cecil's wrote on its Go Fund Me page: "Winter is looming, the wet and cold weather has already started and our ponies are going to need your help to get through this winter. Can you help? No donation is too small and we are so very grateful for your support.

"Our ethos is for all the ponies to have a happy life where they enjoy just being ponies. They live together in herds and spend the day with their friends eating, sleeping, drinking and playing. They are fed, watered, cared for and loved. Many of the ponies have paired up and formed close bonds with another pony in the herd.

"The sanctuary relies entirely on donations, events, open days and the hard work of the founder and volunteers. We receive no government funding – our ability to rescue animals and offer a secure and safe life for them, is dependent on our fundraising."

The fundraising page can be found here.

People are able to help Cecil's even further by signing up to become a 'guardian angel'.

This means enrolling to make a monthly donation.

To become a guardian angel, click here.