Laois man's fundraiser will raise vital funds for horse welfare trust
Horse enthusiast Christopher Davis pictured by his van with his friend Michael Larter in Stradbally Photos: Stan Henderson
HORSE breeder Christopher Davis from Stradbally is growing vegetable and flower seeds to raise funds for the Irish Horse Welfare Trust (IHWT).
The Wicklow-based charity is close to Christopher’s heart because it rescues and rehomes horses. The IHWT also runs a foster programme for horses and ponies and facilitates community-based educational projects on the welfare of equines.
Among the plants Christopher is growing are sweet pea, spring onions, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce and broad beans. He is also growing a wide range of flowers.
The plants can be purchased from Christopher at his home, 1 Court View (next door to Dunne's pub) and from outside Stradbally Superstore, just a few doors from where he lives.
Christopher recently invited the ***Laois Nationalist*** to his home to chat about his project.
He said that he has always loved horses and thanked his late father-in-law Davy Ward from Tullamore for teaching him about them and how to be kind to them.
Christopher said: “I’m growing vegetables and flowers to raise money for the Irish Horse Welfare Trust in Woodenbridge, Co Wicklow. All of the money raised is going to the charity.
“The IHWT has been close to my heart for years. Every penny they get goes into looking after horses and the work that they do is immense. I’m just trying to give back a bit to the animals that built the world.
“I breed horses and I wouldn’t be without them, they are amazing and intelligent animals. You can have a great friendship with a horse. I’m trying to raise awareness about the immense cruelty that goes on to the equines of the world. I don’t believe that any equine should be in the human food chain, they are a sports animal, they are pets and they just don’t get the respect they deserve. At the end of the day, the horse was around before the wheel was ever built, and when the wheel is gone, the horse will still be standing on its four legs.” Christopher said he would be grateful if people have pots and the likes that they could donate, that they wouldn’t go to waste and would be used. He is also hoping that someone can donate a small polytunnel for his ongoing project.
Speaking on behalf of IHWT, manager Sharon Power said: “We were delighted when Christopher approached us with his idea to raise funds for us and to raise awareness about us in Co Laois. It’s a novel idea for a fundraiser. Nobody has ever grown plants and flowers to raise funds for us before. We are very thankful to Christopher and to everyone who supports his fundraiser for us in any way.” Christopher wishes to thank his friend and neighbour Michael Larter, who is helping him with the project, Stradbally Superstore; Gavin Dooley Signs, Athy; Tree World, Coolnabacky for their kind donations and Irishtown Garden Centre, Mountmellick.
For more details, phone Christopher on 085 7450581. The IHWT can be contacted at www.ihwt.ie, Facebook, Instagram or on 086 6047840.
