PARALYMPIC gold medalist Josie Pearson MBE will be at The Society for the Welfare of Horses and Ponies (SWHP) open day this Sunday (1st December).

Josie, who won a gold medal and set a new world record at London 2012 in the discus, pictured below, is passionate about horses and recently volunteered to be the charity's ambassador.

The fascinating sportswoman from Hay-on-Wye, who also competed at the Beijing Paralympic Games in 2008, and has competed across the world in a range of sports, will be at the open day with her famous medals to give fans a chance to meet her and ask questions.

Before breaking her neck in a road traffic incident in 2003, Josie was a keen rider, pictured left on her horse George. She will be helping SWHP raise important awareness and funds as the team face the winter season.

Winter is always the most difficult time of year for any welfare charity, but staff at SWHP are predicting that this year could well be the worst year since the organisation was formed almost 40 years ago.

The number of horses being abandoned and neglected has increased significantly in the past years, and most charities are now working at maximum capacity.

At the SWHP St Maughans centre there are already 60 horses and ponies that have been rescued in often appalling states suffering from malnutrition and a heavy worm burden.

The charity also takes hay out fortnightly to the hundreds of ponies left to fend for themselves on the local mountains and commons. This is often the only food these animals will receive and without SWHP's help, they would not survive the winter.

Staff at the centre are appealing for help. Do you have any hay that you could donate? It might not be in the best condition, but is it edible? Get in touch at 01600 750233 if you could help these ponies survive the winter.