Source:  News Release

Hospital steps in to help rescued donkeys

Kind-hearted staff at Ulster Hospital in Belfast have today handed over a cheque to help international animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary care for abandoned equines in Northern Ireland.

The hospital staff were moved to raise funds for the charity after hearing of The Donkey Sanctuary’s involvement in the mass rescue of more than 60 donkeys and horses in County Antrim at the end of last year.

Led by the hospital’s Patient Experience Manager, Dawn Devlin, staff, patients and visitors raised in excess of £575 for the charity by running a stall and holding a ballot auction for donated items.  The hospital also very generously purchased some tasty treats for donkeys working with children with special needs at The Donkey Sanctuary’s sister charity, The Elisabeth Svendsen Trust, in Templepatrick.

Earlier today, Dawn met The Donkey Sanctuary’s Head of Welfare, Michael Crane, and presented him with the cheque and donkey treats on behalf of her colleagues at Ulster Hospital.

Dawn said: “After reading about the terrible conditions which the rescued horses and donkeys in County Antrim were found in, I felt I wanted to help.  I was able to organise a stall outside the hospital restaurant selling Donkey Sanctuary goods and donated gifts. My colleagues and I also sold ballot tickets for various donated prizes and had a donation box on the stall.  A big thank you to all those who kindly donated prizes for our fundraising event and everyone who showed their support for The Donkey Sanctuary.”

Michael added: “With so many animals in need of our care both here in Northern Ireland and worldwide, the support of fundraisers like Dawn Devlin and her colleagues is very much appreciated.  The Donkey Sanctuary is funded entirely by donations, and in these difficult economic times, it means even more to us when people choose to donate their hard-earned cash to support our work.  On behalf of the charity and all the donkeys in our care, I would like to extend my immense gratitude to Dawn and her colleagues.”

To find out more about the work of The Donkey Sanctuary in the UK and overseas, please visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk.

Barnmice News is brought to you by EnglishHabit.com, your complete online English tack shop.