*GREAT PHOTOS* Horse-loving television personality and businesswoman Olivia Bowen joins Redwings as an official Ambassador

Olivia Bowen has become an official Ambassador of Redwings Horse Sanctuary after a lifetime of love and support for the charity.

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 the charity’s Ada Cole Visitor Centre, in Essex 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 the charity for free. 

Jennie Roberts, Redwings’ Social Media Manager, said: “We’re over the moon that Olivia’s life-long support for Redwings 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 Redwings’ 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.” 

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