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Mary King becomes first Blue Cross equine ambassador
Mary King is "thrilled" to take on her ambassador role at Blue Cross.
Olympic rider to raise awareness of charity’s horse welfare work

Mary King has become the first equine ambassador for Blue Cross.

The charity has two equine welfare centres in Staffordshire and Oxfordshire where mistreated and unwanted horses are rehabilitated and rehomed.

Mary King recently supported the Blue Cross National Equine Welfare Survey and aims to raise the profile of the charity’s equine welfare work.

King, a champion Event rider, has represented Great Britain at six olympics; winning team silver in 2004 and 2012, and team bronze in 2008. In addition, King has won the Badminton horse trials twice, team gold at two world equestrian games, and four team golds at the European eventing championships.

King has also ridden a rehabilitated Blue Cross horse, ‘Sheridan’, around the renowned course at Badminton horse trials, albeit not over any cross country jumps.

Commenting on her new ambassador position, King said: “I am truly thrilled to take on the role of equine ambassador for Blue Cross. I have immense respect for their welfare and rehoming work and hope that I will be able to help raise their profile in many ways.”

Blue Cross are currently running their Christmas Dinner Project which aims to provide animals in their care with a hearty Christmas dinner. To donate £1 to help fill a food bowl, please visit this link.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.