11 hours ago
Supporters gather in Dudley to back Brooke's global donkey campaign
JOURNALIST and TV presenter Aly Vance joined forces with animal welfare charity Brooke for an event at the Black Country Living Museum.
The event, held on June 5 in Dudley, aimed to update supporters on Brooke's ongoing initiatives to help working horses, donkeys and mules.
The charity is committed to addressing issues including the donkey skin trade and antimicrobial resistance.
Ms Vance said: "It was a real privilege to join Brooke at the Black Country Living Museum and meet so many passionate supporters.
"Seeing the historical role of working animals in Britain brought home just how vital Brooke's work is around the world today.
"These animals are crucial to the livelihoods of so many communities - they deserve our care and action."
In 2024, Brooke, in collaboration with the World Veterinary Association, established the first-ever essential medicines list for livestock to improve antimicrobial resistance.
This initiative targets the spread of drug-resistant pathogens in both humans and animals.
The event's theme centred around recognising the historical contributions of working horses in industrial Britain and Brooke's persistent efforts to support them in global coal mines and brick kilns.
Brooke CEO, Chris Wainwright, said: "Working animals have been the backbone of human progress for centuries, from Britain's industrial past to developing communities around the world today.
"Brooke's supporter day at the Black Country Living Museum was a chance to celebrate the incredible dedication of those who stand with us in protecting working animals.
"Our supporters are at the heart of everything we do."
Brooke is advocating for a worldwide prohibition on the donkey skin trade, which results in the slaughter of approximately six million donkeys yearly for ejiao, a Chinese medicine.
Brooke's lobbying contributed to the African Union's decision to impose a continent-wide ban on the skin trade in 2024, safeguarding 32 million donkeys.
