'We are devastated someone would steal from a pony charity'
Following a theft, a Dartmoor-based pony charity is appealing for donations
Last updated 11th Jan 2022
A type of honesty box used by The Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust has been broken into, with thieves taking around £350.
The charity's headquarters are on the Parke Estate at Bovey Tracey and it relies on honesty donations from those who park there to fund hay to feed six ponies.
Four of the animals are used for the charity's 'Ponies Inspiring People programme' which is an education, engagement outreach scheme.
The charity's CEO Dru Butterfield has warned 'until it is replaced with a more secure version, the charity will continue to lose valuable funds'.
She said: "We were devastated that someone would do this.
"The car park money is an invaluable source of funding especially during the winter when the ponies need extra forage.
"We're hopeful that someone might step forward and help us rebuild the cairn with a much sturdier version, but until it is built, we will continue losing funds."
The DPHT works with pony keepers who own and breed Dartmoor ponies helping secure their future on the moors.
It also promotes the Dartmoor pony for conservation grazing and manages 82 hectares of moorland and heathland at Bellever, Postbridge, where it runs a herd of 26 ponies.
If you can offer help in rebuilding the cairn or would like to donate to the charity please visit www.dpht.co.uk