07 May 2025

Welcome to our new ambassador, Olivia Bowen!

Olivia Bowen is supporting Strangles Awareness Week

Olivia Bowen has become an official Redwings Ambassador after a lifetime of love and support of us.

The television personality and businesswoman - who has two horses of her own - rose to fame alongside her husband Alex after appearing on Love Island in 2016. The couple, who married in 2018, have a two-year-old son, Abel, and are expecting a daughter in the summer.

Olivia’s relationship with Redwings goes back to her childhood and she brings her own, growing, family to our Ada Cole Visitor Centre, near where she lives, every chance she gets.

Olivia said: “I first visited Redwings when I was a pony-obsessed little girl and I am truly blown away by how hard the staff work, day in and day out.

“It’s heartbreaking to see the state some of the horses and donkeys are in when they are rescued by Redwings, but to see them thriving in their care is so warming, and as a charity 100% reliant on donations, they can’t do this important work without us.

“Everyone knows I’m horse mad. My gorgeous girl Dolly, who is a 14-year-old Dutch warmblood, is my soul horse and we brought Sausage home last year. She’s a six-year-old mini-Cob x Welsh Section A, and Abel’s new best friend. He’s just starting to ride, and his daddy is learning alongside him too.

“I’ve been supporting Redwings my whole life so I’m very proud to have become an official Ambassador and do what I can to help.”

Redwings Ambassadors are not paid, and Olivia is generously donating her time to us for free.

“We’re over the moon that Olivia’s life-long support for us is now official.

“Olivia has lots of ideas of ways to support us and, every time we meet, she brainstorms ways to try to raise awareness and fundraise for us. She's visited several of our centres and met some of our vets too to get a full picture of who we are and what we do.

“Ambassadors can really help to spread the word about our work, and horse welfare, and Olivia is a very special connection born out of a genuine love of horses and Redwings. I’m excited to see the difference we can make together.” 

Jennie Roberts

Social Media Manager

Olivia is lending her voice to this week’s Strangles Awareness Week (SAW), which began on Monday (5th May) and runs until Sunday (11th May). The campaign aims to support horse owners in using straightforward, practical steps to help prevent the spread and impact of the contagious and sometimes fatal disease. To find out more please visit: Strangles Awareness Week 2025 | Redwings Horse Sanctuary

Olivia has also chosen to sponsor Zippy, a rescued chestnut horse who lives at our Ada Cole centre, as part of her support! Thank you so much Olivia!