A BIRD rescue volunteer is laying a bouquet of flowers this weekend at a cenotaph in memory of all the animals that served and died in our armed conflicts.

Caroline Sim, founder of Flying Free Bird Rescue, will lay a purple bouquet of flowers at Ulverston cenotaph at 3:30 pm on Sunday as part of the Remembrance Day service.  

“This is the third year that I have laid a wreath at the cenotaph,” said Caroline, who has been rescuing birds in South Cumbria for the last 12 years.

(Image: The bouquet of flowers to be presented at Ulverston cenotaph. Credit: Caroline Sim) (Image: The bouquet of flowers presented at Ulverston cenotaph last year. Credit: Caroline Sim) “Thousands of horses were shot in the First World War war and many never returned home to England.

"There were also many dogs which worked in the services, so I think it’s important to pay our respects as this is very relevant to us all.

“We owe the animals a debt of gratitude.”

Ms Sim, who is widely known as the ‘swan lady’, hopes to raise awareness of animal cruelty when laying the wreath.

(Image: Caroline Sim (centre) holding a bouquet of flowers on Remembrance Sunday. Credit: Caroline Sim) She said: “The purple poppy has been introduced now to remember animal victims of war and human violence.

“Hopefully there will be less acts of cruelty the more we can sensitise people to animals and their needs. I’m very passionate about animal welfare.

“Many people are vegetarian and vegan because they feel so strongly about the cruelty of animals.”

Ms Sim said members of the public had ‘very kindly donated’ money this year in order for her to buy a wreath as she was unable to fund the full cost on her own.

“Somebody has given me a tenner and a couple of other people have handed me a fiver, so it shouldn’t cost me too much,” she added.

Members of the public are invited to join the Remembrance Sunday event on November 10 at Ulverston Parish Church.

The Remembrance Service will start at 2.30pm. Everyone attending the service is asked to make their own way to the Church.

After the Church Service at approximately 3.30pm, the parade will form up outside Ulverston Parish Church to parade along Church Walk and King Street to Market Place for the laying of wreaths at approximately 3.40pm.

(Image: Ulverston cenotaph on Market Street. Credit: Google Maps) The Town Band and the uniform section of the parade will then make their way back to the Royal British Legion Club in Brogden Street after the laying of the wreaths.