Since 2002, the Sanctuary has been awarding The Barbara Miller Trophy to a donkey weeker (or a couple) who are actively raising funds for the donkeys.

The trophy is presented each year during International Donkey Week by John Kennedy Melling, whose lifelong friend was the actress Barbara Miller, in memory of her love of animals.

List of award holders

• 2002 - Janet and Peter Thorne
• 2003 - Ray and Julie Mutter
• 2004 - Lloyd and Edna Rogerson
• 2005 - The Reverend Peter Leverton
• 2006 - Tony and Valerie Wyman
• 2007 - Madeline Newton
• 2008 - Bernard and Lily Polley
• 2009 - Liz Cork