We rely upon our volunteers to help us in key areas. Here are a selection of just a few if the volunteers who help us on a daily basis. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer then please check out our Volunteering page.

Beckie Roques

Beckie fulfils a vital role for us, chasing up the authorities and handling the phone calls required for welfare cases. Speaking fluent French, Beckie is great at following up and making sure that the welfare cases we report are taken seriously and that action is taken.

Being a Mum of three (soon to be 4!) I have hands full but after meeting ERF at a horse fair and seeing the great work they do, I wanted to get involved as I really do believe that the way to force change is to work together. After talking, it became clear that I could really help out by taking some of the chasing of welfare cases off their hands. As a fluent French speaker, making a few phone calls really doesn’t take much but I know that I am making a real difference for all the equines I call about. It’s rewarding without becoming a major commitment.

Catharine Higginson

At ERF, we need a network of volunteers across the country to report back on equines and carry out home visits and checks for potential Guardians. Catharine is an experienced horsewoman, but her 3 children plus a day job as a journalist, alongside the launch of the SurviveFrance network mean that her time is limited.

By volunteering to be there when needed, I feel that I am doing something worthwhile – I cannot give much time, but I know that when ERF need me to check something or visit somewhere, I can make a real difference. By representing ERF here in the Landes and Pays Basque area, I can spread the word and encourage others to join, hopefully bringing in new volunteers and much needed funds.

Helen Barnes-Short

We met Helen when we responded to a welfare call since when she has organised several fundraisers as well as making and selling some great jewellery to support us. With volunteers like Helen regularly raising funds, the weight of keeping ERF afloat is shared and no longer feels like an impossible mountain to climb.

I heard about ERF when a friend needed help with a neglected pony in her village and try to help with fundraising as I believe they do a great job over here. I make jewellery and am now selling some pieces to raise funds, all equine themed of course….

These are just a few of our volunteers and we want to say a big Thank You to each and every one of our volunteers who support the work we do here at ERF – you all know who you are!


If you’d like to join our volunteer team, have a look at our volunteering page and get in touch.

If you value the work we do at ERF, please donate so we can continue to help equines in France

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