Donkeys come in from cold as public back £50k appeal
ACTRESS Gemma Atkinson shared her delight after a herd of abandoned donkeys who faced a bleak winter were given a warm new shelter thanks to a fundraising appeal.
Donkeys Flash, Fergus and their pals were facing a soggy and cold start to 2022 due the leaky asbestos-ridden roof on their shelter at Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary.
Urgent repairs were needed to repair the roof at the Edenfield-based charity which is home to hundreds of rescued dogs, cats, horses, rabbits and goats.
However bosses could not afford the £50,000 bill so sanctuary chairman Gemma launched an appeal to raise the muchneeded funds.
Donations flooded in after the story of the donkeys and their ongoing plight featured in the press.
The success of the campaign means the sanctuary can give the donkeys the sheltered home they deserve so they can live the rest of their lives in luxury.
Gemma, 37, told the Sunday People: “Everyone has been so generous to help our donkeys at Bleakholt.
“The donkeys are all real characters and deserve to have the best lives as many were abandoned or neglected in the past.
“For people to have helped financially to make sure the stable is dry, weather-proof and snug for our donkeys, means a lot.
“They live out their lives at Bleakholt and now they have updated conditions to continue being well cared for.”
Sanctuary manager Karen Weed added: “The donkeys are now living in lovely modernised stable with no rain coming in!
“We have been able to get the roof fully done and now are looking to put new doors in place and repair the floor too.
“It was an old building so all the donations have been a major boost and the donkeys love it.
“We have donkeys and mules who have been abandoned but now they can live their lives out at our sanctuary in an up-to-date stable where they will be snug and content.”
The new stable is a real boost for Flash who has barbed wire scars on his body from a past life.
Fergus was seen being beaten up at a horse sale eight years ago and was bought by a kind person and given to Bleakholt.
“We love our donkeys and mules as they have different characters and personalities,” said joint Head of Stables Natalie Hill.
●●TO sponsor a Bleakholt donkey or mule, or any animals, visit www. bleakholt.org/help/ sponsorship/