5 April 2016

Alastair Stewart announced as new Brooke Patron

Journalist and newscaster Alastair Stewart OBE has been announced today as a new Patron for Brooke. The ITV News presenter said he was “thrilled to bits” to be offered the position.

Alastair Stewart, the award winning news broadcaster best known for anchoring the ITV Evening News for 31 years, is one of the UK’s longest serving news presenters. His career has spanned politics, war and royal weddings, but a passion for horses has always been present.

“Horses have been and will always be a massive part of my life. It started at a young age when I rode whilst at boarding school in Kent. I even courted my wife, Sally Ann, on horseback. Two of my children took to it too - my son Freddie runs a livery and training centre and my son Oscar is a professional show-jumper. Now I’m keen to give something back.

Alastair Stewart

“Horses have been and will always be a massive part of my life. It started at a young age when I rode whilst at boarding school in Kent. I even courted my wife, Sally Ann, on horseback. Two of my children took to it too - my son Freddie runs a livery and training centre and my son Oscar is a professional show-jumper. Now I’m keen to give something back.

“Becoming patron for Brooke is a huge honour” he said, “I have supported them for a number of years, attending events and following their work closely, so I already know it’s a great charity that does vital work for the world’s most vulnerable horses, donkeys and mules.

“I’m looking forward to learning more, experiencing the work first-hand and taking an active role to help raise the profile of this wonderful charity.”

As one of his first acts as Patron, Alastair will be helping Brooke to launch its new strategy and brand in May, and supporting the charity at various events across the UK.

“Everyone at Brooke is delighted to have Alastair on board and grateful that he accepted our invitation to become a Patron. His passion for horses is clear, and it’s fantastic for us to have such a well-known figure helping to promote our cause. We look forward to working with Alastair to increase support for Brooke and to help a greater number of these working animals and the people who so heavily depend upon them.”

Petra Ingram, Chief Executive of Brooke