On Friday 10th December 2010, The Donkey Sanctuary will be holding its annual Candlelight evening from 5.00 pm (weather permitting).
Staff will begin to light the thousands of candles around the Sanctuary from 3.30 pm with the 45 minute Christmas carol service starting at 5.00 pm in the Main Barn opposite the Visitor's Centre.
This year we'll be joined by Honiton Brass Band to accompany our carol singing.
Mulled wine and hot mince pies will be available before and after the service.
Santa's grotto
Santa Claus will be visiting the donkeys in the run up to Christmas and will this year be be located in his special Grotto in the EST Centre, located within the grounds of The Donkey Sanctuary . Read more ...
Light a candle of peace and love
If you cannot join us this year, we invite you to donate a virtual candle and leave a message.
Candlelight is becoming more and more popular, and last year over 15,000 candles were lit, each one dedicated by our supporters to the memory of a loved one, a family member, a friend or a special pet.
Are you a UK taxpayer?
When making a donation, it would be helpful if you could inform us if you are a UK taxpayer to enable us to claim back money from the tax man through the Gift Aid Scheme by completing our gift aid declaration form.
An overview of the Gift Aid Scheme is available on the HM Customs & Excise website.
Donation enquiries
If you have any queries regarding making a donation, please contact us.
The best carols by candle light i have attended, holding it in the great barn adds a significance to the season that i had not appreciated before. The grounds decked out in figures made with candles was so imaginative and the atmosphere mesmeric in the evening air. one of your many supporters, keith
To all at the Sanctuary,
I just wanted to thank you for the so special candlelight evening you provide. I will be there in spirit and walk with all of you for the memory of my mom, Flora who passed away on All Hallows Eve. Such a pretty name and a good mom. The last word I heard her say was "flower" as she held the flowering sage I brought for her...a good memory. So in December at the Candlelight service I will be thinking of flowers and knowing that she is still gladdening weary shadowed hearts with her smile. Her steadfast advice throughout her life, "Be kind to animals, and don't forget to feed the birds in Winter."
Thank you all from my heart,
Jenny B.
My sister Carly and Myself(Gemma) are attending the candlelight ceremony this year and are loooking forward to it very much. We're sure it will look magical and hoping that we might get to see some people that we met on Donkey week last year as it's a first trip back since then!
We are a group of 45 grade 1 children in Melbourne Australia. We sponsor Busby and Daniel P. We watch the donkeys everyday on webcam. Merry Christmas to everyone at the Sanctuary. We hope we can see the candles at the service on the 11th love the grade 1s at Moorabbin Primary xx
I just wanted to say how much I love what you do and that I wished I lived nearer so I could visit and volunteer - perhaps when I retire! I love these gentle and kind animals who, like so many, never expect anything from humans, but only get grief and pain. Keep up the fantastic work - you will always have a supporter in me. Would love to be at the Candlelight Evening and hope the weather is kind and it goes well.
Much love to all at the Sidmouth Sanctuary for a wonderful Christmas. Sarah xXx
Sorry not to be able to attend this wonderful event this year but hoping to view online. It is truly a wonderful Christmas evening - the peace and harmony spreads the real meaning of Christmas. Hoping for dry weather for you this year and love and thoughts will be with you. Will be visiting next weekend to see the progress of the new arrivals.
x
As I live in Spain I cannot get to visit the sanctuary often but this year I will be going to the candlelight evening, can't wait! I watch the donkeys on the webcam every day and love to see them so happy and contented.
Roll on the 11th December when I come on my flying visit to the UK to see the donkeys live!!
My Daughter Nicola and I are delighted to be able to come to this years Candlelight Evening, and bringing my elderley parents John & Betty with us.
We are staying nearby for the weekend as my Father is in a wheelchair but didn't want to miss out. We live 100 miles from the sanctuary but try and visit every year.
Hopefully the weather will be kind to enable the candles to be lit.
God bless donkeys everywhere, and I love the web cam.
Live too far away to be able to attend, but shall be listening to it on your webcam. I'm sure it is going to be lovely.
Every blessing for a wonderful Christmas, and all the very best for 2010. You do a remarkable job.
A delight to be able to watch online! Thanks for organising that :-)
Hope to be there in person next year ...
we went it was wonderful but were still feeling the effects of the 400 mileround journey today it would have been better if we were 30 years younger!!
I cannot attend the Candlelight Evening as I live too far away, but will hopefully be listening in online.
I would like to wish everyone at the Sanctuary a Happy and Peaceful Christmas, and thank you all for the wonderful work you do in caring for these lovely donkeys.
Best wishes and good luck for the New Year,
Maureen
We are unable to join you this year, but thanks a lot for putting sound on to the webcam, it will make it seem as if we are there! Hope it all goes well and the weather is kind to you. Happy Christmas to you all.
ROBERT HAYWOOD
In loving memory of Rob, Dad and Uncle Robert
Thinking of you always
Missing you forever
With lots of love from - Rosy, Helen, Ruth, Alice, Sal, Tony, Nick, Claire, Phil, Sue and family
Terry in Downers Grove USA
Alas, I had to work during the festivities. Will there be a video rerun?
This was the first year we tried adding sound to the video and we're pleased that it was such a huge success. As it's a 24/7 livestream webcam, none of it was recorded.
what a wonderfull night it was last night at the carol service it was well worth the 400 mile round trip we made
Hope the carol service went well. Unfortunately I could not attend and was unable to watch through the web cam so I wonder whether there will be a video of it.
Just want to wish all at the Donkey Sanctuary a very Happy Christmas and my thanks and admiration for all the work you do in looking after these beautiful donkeys.
What a treat. It was lovely to be able to watch AND hear the carol service. The atmosphere seemed wonderful, with everyone there enjoying it despite the obviously cold weather. Thanks to all concerned in making it possible and allowing so many of us to feel included. Thanks, also, to the donkeys who allowed the humans to take over their space in the barn that evening!
I'm really sorry that i could not attend the candlelight service but i watched it on the live webcam which was really excellent thank you for a lovely day
GEORGE DOWLING
In loving memory of george, Dad and grandad
Thinking of you always
Missing you forever
With lots of love from - lucy, james, wendy and steve
xxxx missing you lots xxxx
I think Dr. Svendson is doing a fantastic job. All power to her elbow and long may she continue her wonderful work. I have just adopted four donkeys [at the sister charity, Elisabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys] and I will put all my information on a board and hang it somewhere where all can see it