Elisabeth Svendsen Trust

A donkey riding centre based in Eccup, Leeds has been donated a beautiful painting by local artist Bruce Dobson, and now plans to raffle the piece to raise funds for its cause.

Bruce Dobson, a 63 year old artist from North Yorkshire has donated his latest masterpiece to The Elisabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys (EST), who provide free riding therapy for children with special needs and disabilities in Leeds.

The painting is a stunning canvas of a Shetland pony mare and foal, with a beautiful hillside background. Tickets can be found on sale at the Leeds centre for a small charge and the winning ticket will be drawn by Bruce himself on Saturday 12th June.

This is not the first time that Bruce has donated his work to the centre. He is a huge animal lover and the charity is close to his heart, not only because of the therapy they provide for the children, but also through their outreach visits to the elderly in the community. Bruce regularly visits Alne Hall and interacts with the residents by holding sketching and painting classes for them. EST Leeds also visit this home with the donkeys as part of their outreach work.

Bruce says “I am always happy to donate my paintings to a very good cause, because I believe that charity starts at home and I will often help where I can. When there is a fantastic organisation like EST right on your doorstep you should do your best to support it.”

Bruce has also kindly offered to paint and donate a picture of Rosie, one of the centre’s adoption donkeys which he will unveil at the centre’s Summer Fair, to be held on Sunday 25th July.

Cathryn Williams, centre manager of EST Leeds, says ”We are so grateful to Bruce for his continued support. Our charity is funded entirely by donations and without the support of people like him we could not offer our services free of charge to children with special needs. We would like to further improve the children’s play area with the funds raised from this painting”

To be in with a chance of becoming the lucky owner of this amazing painting, you can buy a strip of draw tickets for just £1 by contacting the centre on 0113 2619249