Elisabeth Svendsen Trust

Wow! Our Winter Wonderland weekend was even bigger and better than last year. We're still totting up the funds raised over the two days and were so pleased to welcome so many visitors to join our Christmas celebrations.

Thank you all for your support and a very Merry Christmas to you all.

Following the precautionary closing of EST Leeds, the centre is delighted to be re-opening on Sunday 16th October for an Open Sunday session between 9am and 12pm (please phone the centre on 0113 2619249 to book an appointment).

From Monday 17th October the centre will be back to normal opening times.

Thank you very much for your patience

EST Leeds is in with the chance of winning a share of £10,000 from a local business that's looking to support Leeds-based charities. Please take a couple of minutes to log in to Facebook and vote for Elisabeth Svendsen Trust for Children & Donkeys (EST Leeds). The funds could help us to make a huge difference to the lives of thousands of children.

Please be aware that there are road closures around Eccup on the morning of Sunday 10th July due to the Eccup 10 mile Road Race. However, access to EST Leeds is available AT ALL TIMES from A659 and A660. There is no restricted access at either end of Blackhill Lane. Visitors attending the EST Leeds Summer Fair via Five Lanes End (from Alwoodley direction) should follow the diversion signs which will bring you to the Centre. All roads will be fully re-opened by 11.30am.

If you require any more information, do give us a call on 0113 261 9249.

Meet Andre and Marlon, our father and son duo at EST Leeds.

In February 2010 Andre joined us and was later joined by his son Marlon in April 2011. Both are gorgeous friendly donkeys and Andre claimed first prize at the Great Yorkshire Show in 2010!

Although Marlon's coat is very different to his father's dark chocolate brown coat, their cross markings, eyes and especially their muzzles are identical.

Helping children with special needs

Jude Baker and Steve, are a father and son duo who attend EST Leeds.

After racking up over 22 years between them working to provide riding therapy to children with special needs, Kelly and Rosie the donkeys kicked off their retirement with a suitably donkey-themed party on Saturday 14th May.

Both Kelly and Rosie have been working at EST Leeds since 1999 and staff estimate that between them, they have given an amazing 25,000 rides to children with special needs and disabilities. They also built up a large number of devoted supporters over the years who have kept in touch through the charity’s Adopt A Donkey scheme.