Four years ago, UK-born Elaine Sissons visited Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre in Spain and was blown away by the sight of 90 rescued equines, all happy and well cared for.

Elaine was shocked by the stories of abuse, starvation and neglect the rescued horses, ponies and donkeys had endured before being rescued by Sue and Rod Weeding, the centre’s British co-founders.

That same year, Elaine made a pledge to help the horses and ever since she set herself a major personal challenge to raise funds – this year, she’s pledged to complete the difficult Machu Picchu climb in Peru.

“I was inspired by the dedication and hard work of Sue and Rod, making a huge difference to the lives of equines and doing everything in their power to rehabilitate them and help them recover from their abusive past,” said Elaine.

In 2015, she sky dived; in March 2016, the unstoppable volunteer trained to walk the Yorkshire Three Peaks; and in June 2017, at 60-years-old, she completed the gruelling Tough Mudder endurance event.

Elaine also often holds teas, sells cakes, and organises raffles and fashion shows at her local pub to help the horse sanctuary. To this day she has single-handedly raised more than €4,000 for Easy Horse Care.

The sexagenarian again visited the centre in March this year and got the opportunity to meet the centre’s official grandma, a recently rescued old mare named Beauty. The battered mare needs special shoes to relieve her ruined legs, which inspired Elaine to set herself another challenge and raise more funds for the centre.

“In August 2018, I will climb Machu Picchu in Peru. I’ll do the four-day Inca Trail,” said Elaine, who has been training non-stop in the UK.

“Knowing the horses will live the rest of their lives in the comfort and safety of the rescue centre makes me very happy.”

Donations to Elaine’s fundraiser can be made online at: www.easyhorsecare.net/donate/one-off-donation

Elaine’s Machu Picchu donation will be very timely as the centre recently rescued a family of horses (a mother, son, daughter and auntie). The latest addition means that the sanctuary now has to provide for almost 120 equines.

“I’ve made Sue and Rod’s motto mine: you can’t save the world by saving one horse but you can change the whole world for the horse that you save,” said Elaine.

So far she has helped change the world for 120 horses and counting – and Sue and Rod couldn’t be more grateful.

The Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre relies entirely on donations to fund its important animal welfare work.

Donations of cash or items for the centre’s network of six 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, visit www.easyhorsecare.net. For regular updates, follow on Facebook at @EasyHorseCare.

– Written by Gabriella Munoz.