An artists' impression of the sculpture that will be displayed at the National Arboretum.

Memorial pays tribute to the millions of horses that served in World War One

An equine vet is running four half-marathons this summer to raise money for the Free Spirit Horse Memorial Appeal.

Oliver King of Pool House Equine Clinic in Staffordshire hopes to raise £2,000 for the charity, which is paying tribute to the millions of horses that served in World War One.

Free Spirit are striving to fundraise £250,000 for a stunning, life sized bronze horse statue that will be displayed at the National Arboretum, the UK’s year-round centre of Remembrance.

Organisers say the statue, designed by artist Georgie Welch, will be unveiled in 2018 to coincide with the centenary anniversary marking the end of World War One.

Commenting on his Just Giving fundraising page, Oliver said: 'The ‘Free Spirit’ horse memorial is the only memorial the National Arboretum has granted to an animal in its own right.

‘As an equine veterinarian horse welfare is a passion of mine and I whole heartedly support the charity’s ethos’ that the integral role horses served in World War 1 deserved greater and wider acknowledgement.

‘Everyday I meet clients and their horses and witness the unique relationship that they share with their four legged family member. In this regard, I hope my efforts to support ‘Free Spirit’ will also help more people have the opportunity to be able to experience such an emotional connection with this truly beautiful animal.’

Oliver's challenge begins this weekend at the Lichfield Half Marathon on Sunday, 1 May. He'll then pound the pavements of Market Harborough (11 June), Tenby (10 June), and will finish on the Isle of Mull (7 August).

‘There is no particular significance to their locations, but it seems fitting to try and spread the ‘Free Spirit’ word across the UK,’ Oliver adds.

Over eight million horses, mules and donkeys lost their lives during World War One alongside their respective armies.  Horses were pivotal to the success of the army, as without them they would not have been able to pull guns, stores or equipment. 

Free Spirit are also trying to raise funds from vets to inscribe plaques on a horse shoe that will surround the sculpture. For more information about the campaign and to make a donation visit www.freespiritmemorial.co.uk.

Image (C) Steve Russell