Earlier this month I visited our Derbyshire Centre to see how Chris Pile and his team were coping with the 37 donkeys in their care. Last we heard they were snowed in with temperatures of minus 16 degrees.

Andrew who works at Woods Farm is very fond of Big Alice – what a lovely big donkey she is!

Big Alice came into the Sanctuary in 2006 after it was decided that she was not suitable for giving rides to children on the beach. You may remember that I told you about her last year.

I couldn't resist popping over to see Billy after he moved to our sister charity, the Elisabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkyes, to begin his training to become a riding therapy donkey for children with special needs.

I am such a proud mum - Billy is off to boarding school; my lovely Billy Sampson is all grown up and has had his mane and tail washed and trimmed, he has had his hooves oiled and a smart new head collar fitted. I can’t believe it is the same donkey as the thin, sick, young stallion that arrived 17 months ago.

Trudi Hartnell at Paccombe Farm told me that the first delivery of duvets have arrived! Trudi will be sewing like crazy to make them suitable for the donkeys to wear under their rugs. As you can see from the picture she is delighted to be able to use the duvets to keep the donkeys warm.

I spoke to Chris Pile, manager at our Derbyshire Centre, this morning and he has managed to dig through the drifts of snow in the lane to get vehicles in and out. Today all three of his staff managed to get to work. Yesterday no-one could get in so he and his wife Georgie (who could not get to work) looked after the donkeys.