Elisabeth Svendsen Trust

Two donkeys from a children’s riding therapy centre in Ivybridge will be in Plymouth City Centre on Friday 29th January to promote its 'Adopt-a-Donkey' scheme for Valentine's Day, helping to raise vital funds for its cause.

From 9.30am to 3.30pm, donkeys Merlin and Vicky will be located at Sundial Square for shoppers to meet. They belong to a team of donkeys helping provide riding therapy to children with special needs at the Ivybridge centre of The Elisabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys charity (EST), helping around 150 children from locals schools and hospices every week.

The EST Ivybridge centre must find approximately £250,000 in annual running costs and its Adopt-a-Donkey scheme contributes significantly to the charity's overall income.

This appeal will suit anyone looking to buy a conscientious gift for their loved one on Valentine's Day and costs a modest £16 for a 12-month subscription.

Bob Venn, manager of EST Ivybridge says: "If you are looking to surprise your loved one with something a little different this Valentine's Day, adopting a donkey is just what you are looking for. Our donkeys are all adorable so are guaranteed to make the heart melt.

“As our charity relies entirely on donations, the gift you choose will have great meaning as it enables us to bring children with varying special needs in contact with donkeys to have fun and to gain from the therapeutic benefits from riding, such as improved motor skills, hand and eye co-ordination and body posture. The work we do makes a huge difference to these children."

About 'Adopt-a-Donkey'

• There are four donkeys to choose from – Eeyore, Pooh, Snowy and Wayne.
• The £16 adoption pack includes a folder, certificate, details of the adopted donkey, a colour picture and a beautiful A4 pencil drawing, and features an update letter after six months.
• For an additional £6.50, you can purchase a DVD featuring all the adoption donkeys.
• A personal message can be included in your 'Adopt a Donkey' gift.

Shoppers can find out more about adopting a donkey for Valentine’s Day this Friday at Sundial Square. Anyone signing up to the scheme on the day or sending their forms to the Ivybridge Centre before the romantic event will be entered into a free prize draw to win a hamper full of donkey gifts.

The centre and its donkeys will also be making appearances at the following venues to further promote the Adopt-a-Donkey scheme:

• Chaplins Superstore in Plympton on Friday 5th February from 9.30am to 3.30pm
• Endsleigh Garden Centre, Friday 12th February from 9.30am to 3.30pm