Support a donkey and help a child (The Donkey Sanctuary (Devon))

Member Name: chrisc92

Product:	The Donkey Sanctuary (Devon)
Date:	29/06/09 (24 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: They are a charitable organisation providing something for the community

Disadvantages: They rely on donations which is the disadvantage

I'm not sure I can make this sound good, but I will certainly try my hardest because I can't thank these people enough for what they've done for my son and lots and I mean hundreds if not thousands of disabled/handicapped children throughout Somerset and Devon.

It was founded many years ago by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen and was primarily run to care for donkeys and mules that had reached the end of their useful life. However, combining it into an activity that is designed to help movement for groups of physically and mentally handicapped school children is brilliant.

My son (Stephen's) former school (Selworthy) based in Taunton took groups there regularly and he loved it. He was (and so were we) so proud when they awarded him for being the first improved rider at the centre and had his photo in the Somerset County Gazette and probably local Devon one's too with a plaque donated by the parents of a disabled child that had died a little while before.

There are a number of fields for the donkeys, and the main arena where children spend most of their visit to the centre.

On our second and most memorable trip with Stephen, his sister, half-brother and my 1st wife, some silly sod (me) forgot to put the oil cap back on, and after 40+ miles, rather a lot of smoke poured out of the bonnet just as we reached the parking field - but it didn't catch fire and a friendly driver gave me some oil and a rag so I could get back later.

Like I said I can't thank them enough and they make a real difference to these children. The donkey sactuary is a charitable organisation, and for what they do they are one that is definitely worth supporting.

Summary: Donkeys are not just for beaches, they need a home and can offer so much to children