We ask people to give by regular direct debit because it helps us to plan ahead our services overseas to help working animals. It is also a more efficient and cost-effective way for us to receive donations - and we know some supporters do like to give this way because it is convenient and you are covered by the direct debit guarantee.  However, we really do want supporters who start a direct debit gift to feel in control of their giving - and we emphasise that you can stop, pause or reduce your gift at any time, just let us know. We also understand that our supporters donate to many charities and some may prefer to give as and when they can, and these one-off gifts are very important to our work too.

The Brooke’s work currently benefits 1,100,000 animals a year across Asia, Africa and Latin America (in 2010/11 the Brooke’s coverage across the world was 904,900).

To deliver our programmes for animals currently costs around £9.9 million a year, which is 70p in every £1 we spend.

The Brooke is committed to expanding our programmes to improve the lives of even more animals. Our goal is to reach at least two million animals a year by 2016. This means we are investing in fundraising so that we can expand our work, so 24p in every pound spent by the charity is re-invested into fundraising, keeping in touch with our existing supporters and finding new supporters so that we can sustain our work in the long-term, who we reach in various ways including advertising.

This investment means that we can reach into new areas where animals are suffering, and also reach future generations of working horses and donkeys. This 24p also includes the cost of raising awareness of equine welfare issues, like our ‘Responsible Tourism’ campaign (which includes publicising the ‘Happy Horses Holiday Code’).

5p in every £1 is spent on services to our supporters, including management of our database (which holds financial and other records). Governance costs account for the final 1p, which are the costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the Brooke, for instance, the cost of financial audits.

The Brooke is not able to accept donations of veterinary drugs or equipment. This is because it can often be very difficult and expensive to transport these to the countries in which we work and to get them through customs.

We also believe it is important to support local economies by purchasing items from within each country where we work. Where our country programmes need veterinary drugs which cannot be obtained locally, we export them through a professional supplier.

Gift Aid is a scheme whereby registered charities can claim back tax from the government that supporters have paid on their donations. As long as a supporter pays enough tax in a year to cover the amount we will claim, simply by giving us their permission to claim Gift Aid means that their donations are worth an extra 25 per cent, at no extra cost to the supporter.

All you need to do is to tick the Gift Aid eligible box on any donation form and return it to us. Or, if making a donation over the phone, say yes when asked if you would like your donations to be Gift Aided. Alternatively you can request a Gift Aid form by calling us on + 44 (0)20 3012 3456 or download from our website. Please be aware that for legal reasons we must have your full name including first name or initial, to claim for Gift Aid on your donations. If you stop paying tax at any point in the future, we ask that you contact us.

Unfortunately no, but if you were to ask your partner to fill out a Gift Aid Declaration form and return it to us, we will be able to claim tax on all donations received from their (the taxpayer’s) or your joint account.  Your supporter record will then be held in the name of the taxpayer, but of course any communications we send from then on are still meant for both of you! However, please remember that all donations must come from your partner’s personal or your joint account.

We can currently claim an extra 25p for every £1 donated. So a donation of £10 would be worth £12.50. Once we have a supporter's permission, we can claim Gift Aid on any past donations made within the last four years. Gift Aid is also ongoing, so we can claim on future donations too (until we're told otherwise).

There are many ways you can donate to the Brooke. The most cost-effective way for us to receive a donation is via a direct debit (which you can set up at an amount and frequency of your choice by calling +44 (0)20 3012 3456 or via our website). Alternatively, in addition to our website, you can make donations by cheque, credit card, postal order, CAF voucher/card. Our postal address is The Brooke, 30 Farringdon Street, London, EC4A 4HH, UK. However, financial contributions are not the only way you can help our work; you could consider holding an event, taking part in a sponsored ride/walk etc, holding a collection or distributing leaflets to friends and family. You may also wish to leave a lasting gift to the Brooke by including us in your will, please contact our legacy team on +44 (0)20 3012 3456 for more information.

 Download our legacy brochure, contact Adam Buckles on 020 7653 5816 or email us at legacies@thebrooke.org