Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel
Knitting Donkeys for Charity
Pat Whiting from Bristol made a special visit to the Sidmouth-based Donkey Sanctuary earlier this month to donate 44 knitted donkeys, beautifully crafted in all shapes and sizes, which the charity will now sell to raise funds for its worldwide work.

Pat and husband John were driven to Sidmouth by daughter Pauline, to hand over the mini herd of woolly donkeys and to spend the afternoon visiting their favourite residents. Pat’s knitted donkeys are so popular that one was sold as she was handing them over to our Fundraising Team!
 
Pat said “I have been knitting donkeys for the last three years; I fell in love with donkeys after being given an adoption donkey as a Christmas present and when I came to visit the Sanctuary, I thought these dear donkeys are adorable. When I heard I could help the donkeys by knitting them, I thought this was meant to be, as I have had five strokes and my doctor kept telling me to find something therapeutic to do. I don’t need to follow a pattern anymore because I have knitted 125 in total.”
 
Pat presented the donkeys to Ruth Burrough, from the Community Fundraising Department, Ruth said: “Pat has made a very kind gesture, and we are so grateful to her for taking the time to provide us with all these knitted donkeys, which we can sell and raise much needed funds to help donkeys around the world. Our work is funded entirely by donations, so we are always delighted to hear from new knitters, please do contact us if you would like us to send you a pattern.”
 
In these difficult economic times, the charity is not alone in feeling the financial squeeze and is affected by the increase in donkeys being relinquished into its care each month.  Any donation, no matter how small, is always gratefully received. For further information about The Donkey Sanctuary or if you would like a knitting pattern please call 01395 578222 or visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk
 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.