Charity makes its mark at Chelsea Flower
Show
The first ever four-legged
guest roams the Chelsea Gardens...
The Chelsea Flower Show marks the height of the horticultural
calendar but this year there will be a distinct difference from
all shows that have gone before. Emma the donkey has been granted
special permission to wander around some of the most beautiful
gardens ever designed. The first ever four-legged guest has been
given a special place on this year's VIP guest list in support
of animal charity Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad
(SPANA).
The charity is currently trying to raise awareness of the importance
of working animals in the developing world. In places such as
Sudan, livelihoods hinge completely on livestock, but sadly the
resources aren't always available to give them basics such as
veterinary care, food and fresh water.
Reports last year revealed that in some refugee camps 30% of
livestock starved to death through lack of access to fresh water
and grazing resources. Considering every animal supports an average
of 6 people this has caused major problems for people trying to
work their way out of poverty.
SPANA is addressing the situation by providing veterinary care
to around 400,000 working animals every year through their veterinary
centres and mobile clinics. There is however still much work to
be done and it is hoped that this display at the Chelsea Flower
Show will go some way to raising further awareness of this issue.
Jeremy Hulme, Chief Executive of SPANA, said: "Livestock
are absolutely fundamental to the people of Eastern Chad but the
influx of refugees from Darfur, with around 600,000 of their own
animals, has resulted in conflict over the already scant resources
in this desert region."
This issue continues
and to offer further comment we have the CEO of SPANA Jeremy Hulme
and the gardener who designed a SPANA dedicated garden for the Chelsea
Flower Show, Chris O'Donoghue
Chris answered a couple
of questions from Rosemary Martin - our Gardening Editor - here:-
http://files.markettiers4dc.com/b91977621a026535b562a3b6588aa86acdf09d62
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