Donkey sanctuary in fight for survival

A Shropshire animal sanctuary will close in six weeks if a new premises and more funding cannot be found, its founder said today.

Amanda Ball, who set up Shropshire Donkey Rescue near Bridgnorth in 2008, said they had just £2,000 left in the bank to care for the animals.

And the severe Arctic weather has hit the sanctuary at Billingsley badly with double the number of donkeys having to be cared for than normal.

This is because many of the animals which usually go to foster homes over the winter months have been returned, leading to higher feed and hay bills.

The single mother of two has also had to take on most of the day-to-day running with no volunteers because of the harsh weather.

She said it would be "devastating" if the sanctuary, which has so far saved more than 30 donkeys from death, neglect and abandonment, as well as four horses, pigs and two alpacas, had to close.

Miss Ball said she had received little response to a £350,000 appeal to find new premises early last year.

"We have probably got £2,000 left in the bank. That will probably last us six weeks at the most," she said.

"If we don't manage to find new premises or get funding we will have to close. We will not have any choice."

She said: "At the moment we use my parents' farm, but we simply have run out of space here to take any more donkeys.

"We desperately need to raise funds to move to a larger farm with more land and outbuildings, where we can open to the public seven days a week and employ staff to help take care of the animals," she said.

The charity is appealing for anyone with fundraising experience to come forward to help, or for anyone who has a farm property with land and outbuildings they may be willing to rent out to get in touch.

"We are also hoping that there may be a wealthy individual or company who may wish to sponsor our charity, and help us raise a deposit for better premises."

Shropshire Donkey Rescue can be contacted on 07975 516219, or to send a donation or for more information post it to Shropshire Donkey Rescue, Brickyard House Farm, Billingsley, Bridgnorth, WV16 6PH.