BLEAKHOLT Animal Sanctuary’s donkeys and mules are hoping to have an accommodation upgrade.

The Edenfield sanctuary is appealing for donations to help build a new roof on the donkey building for the likes of Flash, who has barbwire scars on his body from a past life, and Fergus, who was seen being beaten up at a horse sale eight years ago and was bought by a kind person and given to Bleakholt.

Bleakholt houses 10 donkeys and three mules, eight from the Donkey Sanctuary under their Guardian scheme.

It means they live out their life in the 55 acre site, along with horses, ponies, pigs, hens and more, with the oldest donkey Jesse-Flynn who is 26.

Bleakholt began as a donkey sanctuary when Olive Lomas saved a donkey, Maudie, from slaughter with the sanctuary at Bleakholt Farm formed in 1957 before Bleakholt became a registered charity in 1968.

“We love our donkeys and mules as they all have such different characters and personalities,” said joint Head of Stables Natalie Hill.

“We have Hughie, a Mediterranean miniature donkey, who loves Ana, the only female donkey, and defends her honour.

“There is Marty the mule who was living in a housing estate in Newcastle and being ridden around by children before he was brought here.

“Flash, we don’t know his background but he has a lot of barbwire scars on his skin and Fergus who was being beaten at a horse sale, bought, came here and has lived happily ever after since. He is best friends with Oscar. “Donkeys like to be in pairs so they do pair up easily.

“They aren’t waterproof like horses, they are strong and they are very clever, they try to outwit you all the time!

“They have been living in their shelter and it’s dilapidated now and needs an upgrade.

“There is asbestos which needs removing, it’s rotten and it’s leaking in. It is expensive removing asbestos so that’s where some of the cost will go.

“It’s coming up to winter and we want them to be more snug than they are now.

“We have just got two new mules, two females as we are overrun by males! They have come from the Donkey Sanctuary – they are Dottie, who was abandoned at Appleby Fair, and Molly who was relinquished due to a previous owner’s change of circumstance.

“They are settling in and we do have ‘donkey social workers’ from the Donkey Sanctuary who come and check that their donkeys and mules are all good.

“We want to give them the best home we can and so we are hoping people can donate, however small. If not, we have a new sponsorship package for our donkeys, you can sponsor a donkey for £30 and get a sponsorship kit including a trolley key, badge and framed photo in return.”

To sponsor a Bleakholt donkey or mule, or any animals, go to: Sponsorship – Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary. To donate go to Make a donation to Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary (enthuse.com)