The Brooke launches children’s art competition

Budding young artists are being invited to take part in a competition to raise awareness of the suffering of working animals around the world.

Youngsters aged 15 or under have been asked by equine charity The Brooke Hospital for Horses to submit a drawing or painting of their favourite horse, donkey or pony and to say why the animal is special to them.

The winners and runners-up will see their art displayed at an exhibition in London in February next year, and three will win a family trip to Alton Towers.

The exhibition will also show art by children who care for horses and donkeys in developing countries, such as India, Pakistan and Egypt, where Brooke field staff encourage children to draw pictures of their working animals to illustrate their feelings towards them.

The competition has been endorsed by children’s television presenter Kirsten O’Brien, who fronts CBBC’s ‘SMart’.

Kirsten said: “By entering the competition children can show their support for the millions of hard-working horses and donkeys in poor countries, and gain a better understanding of the lives of their young owners.”

The competition closes on 14 December 2007. For more information go to www.thebrooke.org/getarty

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