A small Welsh charity in Wales has made the "very difficult decision" to close due to a lack of funding and is now trying to find homes for its horses and ponies. Lluest Horse & Pony Trust in Llanddeusant announced its closure on Wednesday, March 8, on social media, after a desperate appeal for help to keep going.
Founded in 1985 by Ginny Hajdukiewicz, the trust has rescued over 400 ponies in 35 years. Founder Ginny died aged 38 and the trust is described on its website as her "legacy". Situated in the Brecon Beacons, the 40 acre farm has provided a place of sanctuary for horses and ponies who have been neglected, abandoned or abused.
Despite issuing continued appeals this week, the trust announced on social media that, although they "truly appreciate and understand" the "outpouring of support and expressions of sadness at this time", they were no longer able to accept donations of any kind due to their legal position. The post asked the trust's supporters to understand this was a legal requirement and not their choice. You can get more news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
Addressing the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis and the Covid pandemic, which had caused a drop in funding levels, the post read: "We are deeply saddened to share with you our latest news. Over the past three years we have faced many challenges and through resilience and exceptional generosity, Lluest has been able to continue working with equines most in need.
"At the start of the Winter we began to feel the unforgiving effects of the cost-of-living crisis, this so soon after the difficult days of COVID led us to pausing rescues directly into the Trust, unless in extreme circumstances and where others could not help.
"During the past four months we have tried to obtain additional funding through grants and we have kindly received donations and some legacy contributions. For some time, we have been operating with minimal staff and we have cut costs as much as we can. With all of these exceptional efforts, funding levels have not been recoverable and are no longer enough to sustain us as a charity. The very difficult decision has been taken to wind up the Trust and for Lluest to close."
The post went on to explain that the trust would work with other equine charities to move current horses and ponies to suitable new homes or rehoming facilities, with the care of their horses remaining paramount. Volunteers, donors, sponsors and guardians would be contacted in due course, it said.
The social media post ended by thanking those who had supported the trust over the years: "We would like to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for all of the kindness and support you have given Lluest over the last 38 years, we would not have been able to carry out our work without you."
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