News
The Duchess, President of the Brooke Hospital for Animals, presents awards to young artists
20th February 2008
The Duchess of Cornwall presented awards today to young artists featured in an exhibition which highlights the plight of donkeys, mules and horses working in foreign countries.
Her Royal Highness, as President of the Brooke Hospital for Animals, presented honours to 10 youngsters who created the artwork displayed at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Institute for Indian Art and Culture in West Kensington, London.
The Brooke Hospital for Animals operates worldwide providing free veterinary treatment for horses and donkeys, and advice for their owners on how to care for them.
Brooke organised the Get Arty event and held a national competition for young people to send in their artwork.
Youngsters aged from five to 15 were asked to draw or paint their favourite horse, pony or donkey and write a note explaining their choice of animal. Click here to see some of the pictures in the Art Room Gallery.
One winner, Lucy Schofield, eight, from Alrewas, Staffordshire, said: "I was very nervous before I met The Duchess of Cornwall.
“She asked if I had fallen off my horse and then she said 'you've got to have a tumble now and again'. She was very nice."
The Duchess also met trustees and supporters at the Brooke including Lady Hilary Weir, Chair of the trustees, Mike Baker, Chief Executive of the Brooke, and Maneck Dalal, Chairman of the Bhavan Centre.
She also met former BBC racing presenter Sir Peter O'Sullevan.
The Brooke, which works to improve the health and welfare of working horses, donkeys and mules in developing nations, ran the competition.
Children's BBC presenter Kirsten O'Brien was one of the judges. She said: "I really enjoyed being a judge. It's a running joke on Smart that we can't draw horses. It was very difficult to judge as it was a high level of entries that came in."
The work of the award-winning youngsters is part of an exhibition at the Bhavan Institute which includes paintings and drawings of equine animals by Egyptian and Indian children who work with them.
It also features photographs showing the relationship between children and their working animals in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Mr Baker said: "This competition and exhibition celebrates the fact that children's special bond with equine animals is universal.
"They also highlight the gruelling work these animals do in often appalling conditions to keep millions of children and their families from starvation."
Click here to see some of the pictures in the Art Room Gallery.
Click here to find out more about The Duchess's Charities and Patronages.
Click here to find out more about The Duchess's interest in animals.