Elisabeth Svendsen Trust

Wow, what a week... time seems to be flying by so quickly that April will be here before I know it!

Well where do I start? This past week really has been amazing. I've managed my longest run to date and the support I have received from people so far has been overwhelming. So far I have raised a massive £359 for EST and the sponsorship keeps trickling in, which is fantastic. Everyone has been so kind and generous; I can't thank you all enough.

On Sunday 22nd April I will be taking part in the Virgin London Marathon 2012 to raise funds for riding therapy sessions for children with special needs at The Elisabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys (EST).

I attended the official opening of our Belfast Centre last week, 23rd June, and met two of our fantastic volunteers there.

Sheelagh and Charlie Feely made me feel so welcome and, like everyone that day, were very happy to be involved in the special occasion, attended by Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal.

I have just looked up from the computer and out the window onto the car park and seen a little girl called Olivia arriving for her therapy session, together with her two sisters Abigail and Emma.

Olivia was pushing a little pink dolls pram with a big smile on her face. Her mum has just explained that the little pram was a present from Father Christmas when she came to visit him at our Christmas Fair to ride the donkeys, and she has not stopped pushing the pram around since. Mum says "It's the best present she's ever had".

On Monday 13th December, two residents of Bowhays Lodge Sheltered Housing visited The Donkey Sanctuary with a box full of lovely knitted donkeys.

Iris Slater and Julie Goswell are part of a large group of residents who have made it their mission to help both The Donkey Sanctuary and The Elisabeth Svendsen Trust. They are particularly keen to help the Veterinary Department in their quest to provide treatment for sick donkeys.

This weekend I visited EST Manchester’s Summer Fair. I drove up on Friday morning to meet two families whose children benefit from donkey riding therapy at the centre. I arrived in the car park to find organised chaos – it was a very windy day and there were marquees threatening to take off left right and centre but Lindsay the centre co-ordinator had it all under control and was directing deliveries, porta-loos and gazebo erection quite calmly!