Source:  News Release/Emma Gill

Wedding favours help donkeys in need

A couple from Caledon, County Tyrone, celebrated their love of donkeys on their wedding day earlier this year by making a donation to The Donkey Sanctuary on behalf of each guest who shared their special day with them.

Cille and Neville Ewing - who themselves have been the proud owners of donkeys Dolly and Petals for two years – wanted to make a donation to the international animal welfare charity to benefit donkeys in need worldwide. Much to the delight of their guests, Cille and Neville’s wedding cake was even decorated with donkeys.

The new Mrs Ewing explains how donkeys became such a big part of the couple’s lives and influenced their big day:

“We've had our donkeys for two years now, almost to the day.  Neville knew how much I loved donkeys and as he had some land, he thought it would be a good idea to buy me a donkey - a great present for his girlfriend of just ten months!  I was horrified at this though and declared that he couldn't just get one, he would have to buy at least two as they would get lonely.  I was especially adamant when I found out the ones he had found were mare and foal.  There was no way I could bear for them to be separated, so he got them both!

“When they arrived at the farm I've never been so excited. Dolly - the mare - was initially more confident than Petals the foal, but over time, Petals has grown so confident that she rushes over, head-butting her mum out of her way to make sure she has my attention. Dolly loves her hugs and kisses too though, so Petals has competition!

“I first developed my love for donkeys when I went on a family holiday near Cork.  I grew up in Belfast and the holiday home was located on a farm with lots of animals including a donkey mare and her foal.  The mare was called Petals (hence the inspiration for naming our own donkey foal) and the farmer allowed us to name her foal whom we called Joey.  I loved them and was so upset when we left that I looked for a place to adopt a donkey – that’s when I found The Donkey Sanctuary.

“The story that always stands out for me is a donkey called Blackie Star that The Donkey Sanctuary rescued from Spain in 1987 as part of their campaign against an annual fiesta there.  I remember going round my school collecting names for a petition to help The Donkey Sanctuary - not an easy thing to do for the shy pupil I was back then! 

“As a couple, Neville and I decided to support The Donkey Sanctuary as not only have they done so much for donkeys, both nationally and internationally, but since we have had our own donkeys they have been a great support, answering our concerns with great efficiency.   Their help has been invaluable over the years, and we wanted to recognise this on our special day by making a donation to support the work of the charity.”

For free, expert advice about caring for donkeys, and to find out more about the work of The Donkey Sanctuary worldwide, please visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk.