Firstly, this goes against everything I believe in but have been advised by so many people. I HATE having to ask for help but I have no other choice if we are to continue our visits.

Albert is my tiny golden pony with a HUGE heart.

He was given to me as a foal because he has type 2 dwarfism and was disabled. He was never expected to do very much. But Albert had other plans.

When he was three years old, he nearly died. The vet said he wouldn’t make it. But he did.

Not long after, I took him on a visit to a children’s hospice. I hadn’t trained him for anything like this. I simply walked him in. And Albert came alive.

He gently walked up to children who were frightened, in pain, or overwhelmed, and stood quietly beside them. Sometimes for hours. From that day on, Albert found his purpose.

For years now, we have visited terminally ill children in their homes, children’s hospices, care homes, and after-school clubs for children with physical and mental disabilities. We also visit care homes as the elderly also love Albert! We do this completely FREE of charge.

Albert needs no training. He instinctively knows who needs him most. He will gently pull me towards certain children or the elderly and simply stand with them. In all the years we’ve done this, he has never once gone to the toilet inside a building!!! He seems to understand the spaces he is in and the people he is with.

Children visibly relax when Albert stands beside them. Families soften. Rooms change. Not because of anything dramatic, but because of his quiet, gentle presence.

After 18 years as a senior inspector with the SSPCA, I left my job and felt as though I had lost my purpose. But Albert showed me I hadn’t. This is what we are meant to do.

Unfortunately, 2 years ago I got breast cancer and had to go through months of surgery, chemo, targeted treatments & radiotherapy, during this my van broke down and I simply cannot afford the repairs. Without it, I cannot transport Albert safely, and our visits have had to stop.

The children are still there. Albert is still ready. We just can’t get to them. I have had to turn down people begging for a visit and this is heartbreaking, knowing we can’t give families the memories Albert is so well known for.

I am asking for help to repair or replace my van so that Albert can get back to doing the work he was clearly born to do — bringing comfort to some of the bravest children and families you could ever meet.

Any help, no matter how small, will help us get back on the road and back to the children who are waiting for him.

Thank you for reading Albert’s story.

Nicki and Albert