Golden year for The Donkey Sanctuary
The Donkey Sanctuary is celebrating 50 years since it was founded by its inspirational visionary: Dr Elisabeth Svendsen MBE.
The international animal welfare charity and award winning visitor attractioncelebrates its golden anniversary with a whole host of special events throughout 2019. The anniversary celebrations will be launched on 23 January, which would have been Dr Svendsen’s 89th birthday.
An awareness-raising highlight of 2019 will be presenting an artisan garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May. The ‘Donkeys Matter’ garden will act as a focal point to celebrate the milestone year and showcase The Donkey Sanctuary’s international work.
To coincide with the launch, the charity is releasing a selection of archive images, many of which show Dr Svendsen, known affectionately as ‘Dr S’, at work during the early days of the charity.
Commemorative memorabilia will also be available to purchase from the Gift Shop at the international headquarters in Sidmouth or via their website (www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/shop). Unique items include anniversary mugs, tea towels and key rings, and a specially-commissioned Monopoly board game, with all profits going towards helping donkeys in need.
A new event to help mark the landmark year will be the inaugural ‘Dawdle for Donkeys’ in June. A 5km and 10km course will take in the beautiful countryside around the Sidmouth sanctuary overlooking the world famous Jurassic Coast. It is the perfect way for family and friends to get out and about and raise funds for donkeys.
The Donkey Sanctuary has grown into the world’s largest equine charity and is now one of the biggest employers in east Devon, benefitting the local economy exponentially. It all began when Dr Svendsen acquired her first donkey, Naughty Face, in 1969. Shortly after, she was so shocked by the appalling condition of seven donkeys on sale at an Exeter market that she decided to dedicate her life to saving donkeys in distress.
Dawn Vincent, head of communications at The Donkey Sanctuary and granddaughter of founder, Dr Elisabeth Svendsen says: “My granny’s story is just incredible, she was a successful business woman and was looking to start breeding donkeys of her own. But when she saw the state of a group of donkeys in a market, she decided she needed to do something.
She never stopped coming up with ideas on how she could improve the lives of donkeys and people. She was a trained nursery teacher and developed the donkey-assisted therapy work with children. When she travelled abroad, she saw how donkeys were suffering and wanted to help them too. Now we have a huge global programme working in 40 countries.
“The 50th year milestone is truly amazing, but not something that should be taken for granted, On behalf of my granny and all the staff, I would like to say that we couldn’t do any of this without the support we have had over the years. Dr Svendsen recognised the importance of keeping our supporters in touch with what we do, and thanked everyone for their donation, no matter how big or small, and we have maintained those values to this day.”
Dawn concludes: “It can easily be assumed that our work, in the UK at least is done, but over the past 12 months we have had some of the most significant recues I can remember. I have also been privileged to have seen some of our projects around the world and I can vouch that there are millions of donkeys still suffering. If it wasn’t for charities such as The Donkey Sanctuary, there would be no one looking out for them and alleviating their suffering. Our charity is as important ever, we’ve got so much work to do we’ll be here for another 50 years and beyond I’m certain.”
Since 1969, The Donkey Sanctuary has been pushing for a world where donkeys and mules live free from suffering and their contribution to humanity is fully valued. With dedication and compassion, this work continues to this day, inspired by the vision that Dr Svendsen started all those years ago.
