A couple who have dedicated their retirement to rescuing and looking after hundreds of animals have been forced to sell their belongings to pay for increasing vet bills. David and Robbie Bartington moved to Gower from Hertfordshire in 2013 - and in the last nine years, they've saved more than 300 horses and scores of ponies, lambs and other animals at their home-turned-animal-sanctuary Woodfield Animal Sanctuary in Welshmoor.
But providing the animals with the safety, comfort and medication they need comes at a high price. Whilst the couple are grateful for the tireless work of their volunteers and donations from generous members of the public, they've been forced to selling their personal belongings to try and make up the £10,000 they owe the vet and to continue to give their animals the medical care they need.
The team first started selling items last December to make additional funds, but have had to start selling things again this month as bills continue to rise. "We're selling a horse trailer, paintings, jewellery - we even sold our wedding rings a year ago," Robbie told WalesOnline on Tuesday. "We're paying off the vet bills, the bills come to £10,000. We've saved 300 horses since 2013, predominantly from Gower. And we've got 75 ponies now, they're all rescues from across South Wales they wouldn't be here if not for us."
