A new association that hopes to raise cash by placing second hand clothing collection bins throughout the Rojales council area has donated €500 to the Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre, which is currently battling a critical funds shortage.

Asociacion Ecovida has also vowed to continue regularly donating to the Rojales-based horse rescue foundation and support other local charities if its plans to establish the network of collection bins are approved.

The funds have come at a crucial time for the Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre, which is currently battling to pay more than €4600 in veterinary bills after two rescued horses fell seriously ill this month and had to be hospitalised. Sadly, neither mare could be saved.

“We are so grateful to receive this donation because we are really struggling right now,” rescue centre co-founder Sue Weeding said. “We will use that €500 to start paying off the large debt that we owe the Alicante horse hospital.”

Easy Horse Care currently manages to raise the €4000 needed each week just to feed and care for its 96 rescued horses, ponies and donkeys via a network of seven charity shops plus generous donations from supporters.

However Mrs Weeding said unexpected veterinary bills or extra facility maintenance costs often put the centre under extreme financial pressure.

“Every penny helps, so we are delighted to be picked as the charity to receive this €500. It would be marvellous if we get to have the Asociacion Ecovida collection bins in our area, because it will help us and other charities in our area in the future,” she said.

“As always, we consider ourselves so lucky to be based in Rojales, where we have the support of such a wonderful council and group of councillors, some of which we’ve known for years now and who have shown us nothing but help and support. We hope they favourably consider Asociacion Ecovida’s proposal.”

Donations of cash or items for Easy Horse Care’s network of seven charity shops across the Alicante province are gratefully welcomed. A pick-up service is available to collect large donated items such as furniture and each shop also offers a delivery service for large items purchased in-store.

Anyone interested in making a donation, becoming a long-term sponsor, or volunteering at the rescue centre or in the charity shops can call Sue on 652 021 980.

The Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre, located just outside Rojales at Partido Lo Garriga, 59, opens to the public on the first Sunday of every month between 1pm and 4pm. A free horse tour with centre co-founder Rod Weeding begins at 2pm and refreshments are available in the café. For more details and directions, please visit www.easyhorsecare.net.