SHARING her story during Volunteers Week, Rhonda Fry has been a volunteer at the Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s Holsworthy branch for over six years and her dedication and selfless donation of her time has had an incredible impact on the charity.

Rhonda organised a recent litter pick at Upcott Park Sanctuary in a bid to preserve the beautiful countryside surrounding the farm.

Rhonda said: “I recently read an article regarding plastic pollution causing havoc for the New Forest ponies and felt the need to do something closer to home for our ponies.”

Rhonda and the team managed to pick up nine feed bags worth of litter from the banks and hedgerows leading up to the yard, which Rhonda kindly offered to take home, sort for recycling and drop to the tip.

Not only does Rhonda volunteer at the Upcott Park Sanctuary, but she also organises wonderful fundraising activities to help the team continue to provide lifelong, lifesaving loving care to horses and ponies in need. In the last year Rhonda has raised over £600 through wreath making, plant sales and a tea, cake and table top sale. Rhonda also dresses a Christmas tree in her local church every year to help raise awareness of the charity, which is beautifully decorated with rosettes and horse shaped decorations.

Singing Rhonda’s praises, Mare and Foal Sanctuary community engagement and events officer Scarlett Moon said: “I always remember the first time I met Rhonda, we were chatting about her role as a volunteer at the sanctuary and she said she loves spending time with our rescued horses and ponies, but that she was committed to looking after our grooms too as they work so hard to look after the horses in our care. I was blown away! Rhonda always makes time to have a good clean in the staff areas and always leaves a delicious cake or some homegrown produce as a treat for the staff.

“Rhonda is a very special lady whose kindness knows no bounds and we feel incredibly fortunate to have such a dedicated volunteer who shares our passion for equine welfare.

“We are fortunate to have the support of many dedicated volunteers who make such a positive impact on the lives of our rescued horses and ponies, through volunteering their time, fundraising for us or raising awareness of our work. It’s been lovely to showcase some of their stories during Volunteers Week and we’ll be showing our appreciation with individual cream teas for everyone.”

If anyone is interested in volunteering at the Sanctuary they should email [email protected]