AssetID: 55742759
Headline: Arsenal's old football socks given new life helping rescued horses and donkeys
Caption: Arsenal's unwanted football socks have found an unlikely second career - helping rescued horses and donkeys. The Premier League champions have donated surplus kit to horse welfare charity Redwings, where the old socks are now being used to protect animals from flies, secure bandages and even entertain playful donkeys. The Gunners, who celebrated their title triumph with a victory parade attended by hundreds of thousands of fans in London on Sunday, approached the charity after learning the specialist socks could be put to good use. While footballers may have no further need for the kit, Redwings says the socks have become an invaluable tool at its Norfolk Horse Hospital and rescue centres. Nicola Knight, Head of Communications and Campaigns at Redwings, said: "This was one of the more unusual donations we've been offered here at Redwings, but professional football socks, which these days are often footless by design, can be invaluable. "They're a game changer, you might say. "The socks are being used at our Horse Hospital in Norfolk for anything from protecting our rescued residents' sensitive legs from flies, to holding their vet bandages in place, protecting them from headcollar rubs and even holding back the hair on their legs while they get their feet trimmed. "Our donkeys at Redwings Caldecott are using them for enrichment activities too. "They are a fantastic bit of kit and we're so pleased that Arsenal reached out to us. This inspired donation has been very well received." The idea came from Arsenal's Operational Sustainability Manager, Michael Lloyd, who was looking for ways to reduce waste while supporting good causes. He contacted Redwings to see whether the club's unwanted socks could be repurposed rather than thrown away. Mr Lloyd said: "We're always looking for ways to reduce waste and make a positive impact through the actions we take as a club, and it's great we can work together to repurpose our old kit towards the care and wellbeing of animals." Redwings cares for more than 1,500 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules across the UK, with over 1,000 animals in its day-to-day care. The charity has also shared footage of its resident donkeys enjoying their new football socks during enrichment sessions.
Keywords: feature,photo feature,photo story,Arsenal FC,Arsenal socks,football socks donation,Redwings Horse Sanctuary,horse charity,rescued donkeys,rescued horses,animal welfare,sustainability,Premier League champions,recycled football kit,Michael Lloyd,Nicola Knight,Norfolk Horse Hospital,donkey enrichment,repurposed sportswear,waste reduction,horse welfare
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