Felicity Kendal helps tell the story of World Horse Welfare Peter Pan

A lifelong horse lover herself, the actress Felicity Kendal has helped raise awareness of our work by lending her voice to an advertising campaign on Classic FM, sharing the story of a young pony called Peter Pan. Having been so weak when he was rescued that he collapsed repeatedly, Peter Pan is now healthy, happy and end enjoying time in the field with his friends.

We rescued Peter Pan in February this year alongside three other young colts, named George Darling, Smee and Captain Hook. All four were in urgent need of help, but Peter Pan was particularly weak.

During the early stages of his rehabilitation at our Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Norfolk, Peter Pan collapsed repeatedly and was unable to get back up without assistance. Those caring for him had to lift the young pony back onto his feet numerous times as he began the long and difficult journey towards recovery.

Thanks to expert veterinary treatment, careful nutrition and compassionate, dedicated care from our team, Peter Pan gradually regained his strength. He is now a happy, healthy young pony who can enjoy doing what every youngster should be able to do: running and playing in the field with his friends.

Felicity Kendal’s voiceover forms part of an advertising campaign running on Classic FM to raise awareness of Peter Pan’s story and encourage listeners to help our charity give more vulnerable horses and ponies the care they desperately need.

Speaking about her support for the campaign, Felicity Kendal said:

“I used to ride ponies and horses all through my childhood in India. I loved it! Horses are so important to the world, so we must do everything we can for them.”

Sue Hodgkins, Hall Farm Centre Manager, explains how the team nursed Peter Pan back to health:

“When Peter Pan first came into our care, his condition was heartbreaking. He was so weak that he often couldn’t get back onto his feet without help. Our team spent many hours providing the intensive care that he needed, working closely with our vet to aid his recovery.

“Seeing him today is remarkable. The pony who once struggled to stand is now healthy, full of energy and enjoying life with his friends. Watching him galloping across the field now is something none of us will ever take for granted.

“Peter Pan’s transformation is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when vulnerable animals are given the care, time and support they need to recover. It’s also a reminder of how important our supporters are in making sure we’re there for ponies like Peter Pan when they need us most. We are enormously grateful to Felicity Kendal for helping us share Peter Pan’s story to inspire more people to help horses like him.”

Peter Pan, George Darling, Smee and Captain Hook were discovered at a site in Kent from which another group of severely underweight ponies had been rescued around a month earlier. The first group were named Tinker Bell, Tiger Lily, Wendy and Mary Darling and were extremely weak when they were rescued, with Tinker Bell, the youngest of the group, being critically ill. With the wintry conditions, the four colts, who hadn’t been present when the first group was rescued, had rapidly become very unwell.

Despite the seriousness of their condition when they were rescued, all eight ponies made steady progress in the expert care of the our team. As they recovered, they began to regain their energy, develop their individual personalities and enjoy playing in the fields at Hall Farm.

Peter Pan’s recovery is a powerful example of the difference that timely intervention and specialist rehabilitation can make. We hope the Classic FM campaign will inspire listeners to support our work and help give more horses and ponies the chance of a happier, healthier future.

Help more horses and ponies in need, like Peter Pan and his friends, today.

Image credit for Felicity Kendall headshot – Karan Kapoor