To many starving or ill foals and ponies on Bodmin Moor, Shelley Oldfield is already a hero – now her quiet dedication has been recognised by people outside the world of pony rescue with a Local Heroes Award. Shelley, who lives in Bodmin, hopes the award will help to raise the profile of the rescue centre and bring more people forward who can help by volunteering or offering a home to the ponies.
Shelley at the awards
Nearly three years ago, Shelley decided to try and make lives better for the wild ponies who were not coping with the often cruel conditions on the moor. She set up Bodmin Moorland Pony Rehabilitation (BMPR) with the aim of improving the health and then rehoming ponies, and at this year’s Pirate FM ceremony Shelley was announced as the Animal Welfare Champion of 2017. She was nominated by those who recognise her commitment – every hour of every day and all year round she will help wherever and whenever she can.
After the award, Shelley thanked those who put her up for the award as well as the event sponsors and said, “As someone that prefers to keep a low profile and allow the ponies to take centre stage it’s been quite overwhelming. I feel humbled to be included alongside some of the most inspirational, kind and brave individuals that also received awards on the night.
“This is not about me, it’s about the ponies – that’s all that matters. I have seen ponies in terrible conditions, sometimes hours from death, but with the right food and veterinary care they have gone on to thrive. The end result of all this care needs to be a good home where they will continue to grow and be the pony they were meant to be, not a sad body on our beautiful but often bleak moor.”
Shelley gives her time and efforts freely but to care and then find homes for the ponies has a cost and the BMPR, a registered charity and now entering its fourth year, would welcome donations.
“Any contribution, whether as money or in kind through donations of food or a few hours, could be the difference between life and death for these wonderful hill ponies.”
