Purple poppies tribute to fallen war horses

A woman with blonde hair, dark top and dark shoes wearing a red poppy stands at the far left of the image next to six girls in grey school jumpers, white blouses, ties and black trousers, wearing red poppies. They have lanyards too. A woman with blonde hair, white top and brown trousers and wearing a poppy stands at the far right of the group. They are standing in front of a horse sculpture made from purple knitted poppies. They are in a shopping centre.

The purple poppy is worn to recognise the service and sacrifice of animals in wartime

Naj ModakEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire and Amber GashSkegness

A life-size war horse made from purple poppies has gone on display in tribute to animals killed in conflict.

Students from Skegness Academy worked with the Royal British Legion to complete the sculpture, called Hetty, which is standing in Hildred's Shopping Centre in the town.

The purple poppy is worn to recognise the service and sacrifice of animals in wartime, including an estimated eight million horses that died in World War One.

Taya, 17, who helped attach the knitted poppies to the horse, said it was "important to respect all veterans and animals" and the reaction from members of the public had been "amazing".

Girl with long brown/blonde hair wearing a grey school jumper, white blouse, a black, white and grey striped tie and a red poppy. She is wearing a lanyard with the words 'sixth form' on the strap. She is standing in front of a horse sculpture made from purple knitted poppies. She is in a shopping centre. There is a woman in the background with a pink coat.

Student Taya said she was "very proud" to be involved in the project

The sixth-form student, who worked on the sculpture for a few weeks during and after school, said she was "very proud" to be involved because animals "helped us send messages, transport and weaponry".

Many animals, including donkeys, mules, dogs and pigeons served during World War One and in subsequent conflicts.

Teacher Kerry Langdale, 46, said the students chose a horse as it was a "poignant" symbol for the remembrance of animals.

Sign with poppies on it. It reads Hetty, Made by staff and students at the Skegness Academy. It is surrounded by purple, red and lilac knitted poppies and handmade crosses.

The horse was named Hetty after the school held a naming competition

Assistant principal Vikki Thompson, 40, said the school began planning the artwork last year and put it together during the summer holidays.

"Our sixth-form students have been working extremely hard to attach thousands of the purple poppies to her, all of which have been donated by members of the local community," she said.

"Each and every one you can see has been lovingly made."

The response from the community had been "absolutely incredible" and visitors had already been taking photographs and selfies with the horse, she added.

Girl with brown hair wearing a grey school jumper, white blouse, tie and a red poppy. She has a lanyard too. She is stood in front of a horse sculpture made from purple knitted poppies. She is in a shopping centre.

Student Hollie said: "It was a motivational way to get our message across to the public and community"

The horse was named Hetty after veteran activist Hetty Bower who died in November 2013 aged 108, having spent a lifetime campaigning for peace and improved standards of living for working people.

The sculpture will be on display in the shopping centre into November at least before returning to Skegness Academy.

Student Hollie, 16, said: "It was a motivational way to get our message across to the public and community.

"I'm really proud of the work that I've put into it and I'm glad that the community are enjoying it."

What is the purple poppy?

The purple poppy is often worn to remember animals that have been victims of war.

Donations to the Animal Purple Poppy Fund go to charities including World Horse Welfare and the Household Cavalry Foundation.

According to the War Horse Memorial group, 23 August was chosen as Purple Poppy Day to coincide with the Battle of Mons in 1914, the first major engagement of the British Army during World War One.

The Animal Purple Poppy Fund uses the word poppy with the agreement of the Royal British Legion but is not affiliated with it.

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