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Frequently asked questions

For any queries not covered below, please contact us on 020 7470 9390 or email info@thebrooke.org.

What is Brooke Shop? 

Brooke Shop is a brilliant way to buy thoughtful and compassionate virtual gifts that help working equines and their owners in some of the world’s poorest communities. These gifts are ideal for all your animal-loving friends and family. 

Can I find out more about the people/projects my gifts have funded? 

It is not possible to tell you exactly where your gift has been used, as the administrative costs would be too high and this would mean that less money would be spent where it is needed most. However, all money raised from Brooke Shop gifts, (except Christmas Cards), will be used to fund our work overseas. For more information on how we spend the shop proceeds, go to About Brooke Shop. 

How much do you spend on the production of Brooke Shop? 

The Brooke Shop has proved to be a very cost-effective way of raising funds for our work around the world. We aim to make the best possible use of our supporters’ money to make the biggest difference to the lives of working horses and donkeys. 

We are constantly working to reduce our costs in order to maximise the amount of money going overseas, and although the Brooke Shop catalogue only costs 49p to design, print and produce, our average order is £35.  

Can you send me a Brooke Shop catalogue? 

You can order copies of the catalogue by calling 020 7470 9393, or emailing  info@thebrooke.org 

When will my order be delivered? 

We will dispatch your order within 7 days of receipt. Please allow two weeks for delivery in the UK, and longer for overseas delivery. 

When is the deadline for ordering in time for Christmas? 

We must receive your order by 10th December 2025 (or 25th November 2025 for overseas) to ensure your gifts are delivered to you in time for Christmas. If you are sending the order overseas, please look at Royal Mail last post dates). You can still send virtual gifts by email right up to Christmas Day. 

How do you work out the postage for Christmas card orders? 

The postage charge of £3.95 (£6.00 for international delivery) has been calculated from the average amount it costs Brooke to send out orders of various quantities from the Brooke Shop. We appreciate that it seems high for supporters only ordering one pack of cards and kindly already making an additional donation, but as this donation is only optional, we cannot rely on it to cover our costs. We have found that our postage and packaging charge is lower than that of many other charities. 

Will I have to pay import tax on my order? 

We are unable to advise on this, as import charges vary from country to country and may or may not be applicable to your order. Any international orders are sent with a customs sticker on the outside of the package which states the value of the contents. Depending on the import legislation in your country, you may have to cover the cost of this before your order is delivered to you. 

Please note that orders containing Virtual Gifts Only will be marked on the customs sticker as having £0.00 value, as these are treated as donations. We suggest you contact your local postal authority for advice about import tax if you require further information. 

Where does the money from the Virtual Gifts I buy go to?  

Our Virtual Gifts are split into three categories and the funds raised from these gifts will directly support projects in that category. Each gift has an icon next to it to help you find which category it belongs to: 

  • Working with Communities  

These gifts could help our animal welfare champions to provide training for the owners of working animals, so they know how to look after them properly, show compassion and directly improve their everyday lives.  

  • Daily Needs  

These gifts could help to provide food, clean water, shelter and safe environments for working animals – vital resources that give them the strength and comfort they need to live healthier lives.  

  • Healthcare and Protection  

These gifts could help us train and mentor local vets or provide essential medicines and equipment. This makes it easier for owners to access vital medicines and healthcare for their equines, bringing lasting change to animals’ lives. 

How does it work when I buy a Virtual Gift for someone? 

It’s simple. If you select ‘order by post’ when you order a gift for a friend or relative, we send you an envelope containing the following: 

  • an attractive gift card,  

  • a certificate inside detailing the gift,  

  • a festive envelope 

  • address sticker for you to use to send your thoughtful gift to the lucky recipient.  

Remember, it may take up to two weeks from your order to delivery (or three to four weeks if you’re ordering from overseas). 

If you select ‘order by email’, we can send your personalised gift e-card directly to your loved one, so you can order right up to Christmas Day! You can also now select which day your virtual gift will be emailed to your friend or family member. For example, you could order any time for the email to be sent on Christmas Day. 

How do I pre order a Virtual Gift for delivery on a different date? 

If you order your Virtual Gift to be sent online, with your personalised message to your friend or family member, there will also be a box marked 'When to send'. This will automatically be set to the day you are ordering but you can change that by clicking on the box to set your own date. 

Can I order a gift if I live overseas? 

Yes. You can order by post, phone or online but it may be three to four weeks from us receiving your order to the items arriving. Please place your order by 25th November 2025 as we cannot guarantee your order will be delivered in time if placed after this date. 

When you order online, we can send your personalised gift e-card directly to your loved one, so you can order right up to Christmas Day! 

Can I Gift Aid my thoughtful gift? 

Yes, Brooke Shop Virtual Gifts are counted as donations and therefore they are eligible for Gift Aid. The Gift Aid scheme allows charities such as Brooke to reclaim the basic rate tax that has already been paid on donations. This increases the value of your donations by 25%. 

To sign up to Gift Aid, you must pay Income or Capital Gains tax, and you must have paid enough tax in the tax year in question to cover the amount which Brooke will reclaim. Please note that other taxes such as VAT and council tax do not apply. For more information on Gift Aid contact us on 020 7470 9393 or see our  Gift Aid FAQs. 

About Brooke 

Brooke is an international charity that protects and improves the lives of horses, donkeys and mules  which give people in the developing world the opportunity to work their way out of poverty. For 600 million people in some of the poorest places in the world, over 100 million of these animals are the backbone of communities and their best means of making a living. Without healthy working horses, donkeys and mules, they wouldn’t be able to put food on their tables, send their children to school or build better futures for themselves and their families.