Elisabeth Svendsen Trust

A Sidmouth-based charity providing donkey-riding therapy throughout the UK still has two places available for the May 2010 Edinburgh Marathon.

A donkey-riding centre for children with special needs based in Ivybridge has announced the grand opening of its new greenhouse by students of a Plymouth school on Thursday 11th March at 2pm. The greenhouse has been bought using funds raised by its Parents and Friends Association (PFA).

The most fluffy, cuddly gift you can give to Mum!

Come along to EST Ivybridge and meet Snowy, Wayne, Pooh and Eeyore.

Adopt a donkey at our Ivybridge centre before Mothers Day on Sunday 14th March 2010, and you can take part in a free prize draw with a chance to win a donkey goody bag.

Please pop in to the Centre or contact us for more information.

A date for your diary - Friday 9th April 2010.

• Meet and cuddle our 20 gorgeous donkeys here at EST Leeds.
• Groom and get to know your own donkey for the session (between 1-2 hours).
• Enjoy a cart ride whilst playing games in our indoor heated arena.
• Take home a framed photo of you and your favourite donkey.

£10 per child suggested donation (approx 7 - 12 yrs) must be accompanied by responsible adult. Limited places!

Please contact EST Leeds for further information.

This fantastic day allows the 'Donkey Carer' to gain hands-on experience meeting and caring for some of our donkeys, with behind the scenes activities including grooming, feeding and exercising the donkeys and mucking out their stables. It's a unique chance to work closely with our adorable gentle donkeys!

Help us to raise valuable funds for EST and enjoy an unforgettable opportunity to 'muck in' at the EST Leeds Centre!

A local charity is today launching an appeal to find more volunteers to help support its work, providing donkey therapy to children with special needs and nursing home residents throughout the Sidmouth area.

I am writing this blog as I travel back down the (snowy) motorway with my colleague Chris Phillips. We have just spent three days visiting the EST Centres in Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.

First we visited EST Leeds, after setting off from Devon at 5am; we finally arrived at the centre just before lunch. We were greeted by the centre co-ordinator Caroline who gave us a quick show round before we met some of the children who attend the centre. After a hasty sandwich we went to meet the adoption donkeys and their friends, and before we knew it, it was time to leave.