Source:  News Release/Emma Gill

Donkeys get set for a ‘spooktacular’ Halloween

Staff and donkeys are preparing to be spooked by a range of creepy activities and ghoulish goings on at The Donkey Sanctuary near Sidmouth this coming half term (27^th October – 4^th November).

·       Halloween Holiday Hunt (27^th October – 5^th November)

·       Halloween Fun (Wednesday 31^st October)

·       Halloween Evening Extravaganza (Wednesday 31^st October)

·       Spider Day (Thursday 1^st November)

·       Build A Bat Box (Friday 2^nd November)

The ‘spooktacular’ highlight of the week is a free entry Halloween Evening Extravaganza -  an evening of ghoulish family fun on All Hallows’ Eve itself.  After dark, the charity’s headquarters are transformed into the setting for ghoulish ghost walks and terrifying trailer rides, offering frightening face painting opportunities and the chance to perfect pumpkin carving skills. Fancy dress is welcomed to help visitors really get into the spirit of the event. There is also a scary menu at the onsite Hayloft restaurant fit to feed even the most fearsome of appetites.

The creepy theme continues throughout half term, with Halloween Holiday Hunts (daily 27^th October – 5^th November, 9:30am – 4:30pm) providing the perfect opportunity to explore the Sanctuary and hunt for spooky donkey names on hidden wooden pumpkins (£1 per entry).  You can also perfect your pumpkin carving skills and have your face painted (£3 per person per activity or £5 for both activities) during the Halloween Fun Day (Wednesday 31^st October, 11am – 3pm).

For the first time ever the charity is also hosting events that will enable visitors to encounter some of nature’s weird and wonderful wildlife.  The charity’s Spider Day (Thursday 1^st November) will give visitors the chance to come face to face with amazing local species of these creepy crawlies, and find out about the important role they play in the ecosystem.  Freaky flying mammals are the theme of the Build A Bat Box day (Friday 2^nd November) where participants can make their own bat box (£7 per kit) to encourage more wildlife into their own gardens.

Claire Shapcott, The Donkey Sanctuary’s Events Supervisor, says: “This half term is jam packed with spectacularly spooky events and exciting days out for all the family, so what better excuse to visit The Donkey Sanctuary, enjoy a ghoulishly good day out, meet our lovely donkeys and find out more about the work of our charity? We look forward to welcoming visitors to a week of natural and supernatural creepy happenings this Halloween half term.”

For further event details and activity prices and booking, please call 01395 578222 or visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/calendar. All proceeds from events help fund the work of The Donkey Sanctuary worldwide.

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