Earlier this year, 18 donkeys were rescued following a complaint initiated by our welfare officers in Yorkshire. Since then the RSPCA cared for the donkeys for about six months pending prosecution of the owner for neglect. Having successfully prosecuted the owner, the RSPCA were able to hand over the donkeys to the Sanctuary. Sadly not one of these donkeys had a name so we invited our supporters to enter a competition to give all these donkeys the truly wonderful gift of a name this Christmas.
The competition closed on 24th December 2009 and the winning entries were:
| Donkey name | Suggested by |
| 10470 - Molly | Paul Moody |
| 10471 - Nibbles | Ruth Pullan |
| 10472 - Randy | Janet Russ |
| 10473 - May | Lynda Holloway |
| 10474 - Cinnamon | Pam Slough |
| 10475 - Nero | Elizabeth Cork |
| 10476 - Precious | Suzanne Farr |
| 10477 - Charity | Janet Russ |
| 10478 - Crackers | Elisabeth Granger |
| 10479 - Poppy | Noel Allan |
| 10480 - Cudos | Maureen Sach |
| 10481 - Vera | Avril Ashworth |
| 10482 - Domino | The Rae Family |
| 10483 - Penelope | Penelope Lethbridge |
| 10484 - Jingles | Edna and Don |
| 10485 - Ravelin | Martin Allen |
| 10486 - Skippy | Jenny Phipps |
| 10487 - Mars | Pat Mills |
A huge big thank you to everyone who entered the competition. The 18 donkeys will now have new collars made by our staff proudly showing off their names.
Thanks for picking one of the names I suggested, Mars for 10487. It was like being given an extra Christmas present. I look forward to seeing pictures of them with the new collars.
Names are so important! They are the beginning of a beautiful autobiography full of feelings, interior natures, and the secret chambers of the heart. What beautiful names all the new Donkeys have. I know they will recognize and enjoy them!
From someone who found her "Donkey" soul in her own name with gratitude,
Jenny B.
I was delighted today when I read that you have used my name suggestion on May for one of the donkeys. Thank you so very much. It was my mother's name so it is very special to me. I lost my Mum 13 years ago and still miss her very much. I look forward to coming and seeing May in the near future. Will she be kept at Sidmouth? If so how will I find her?
Thank you again, I am thrilled!
Delighted 10470 is named Molly. We chose this name especially for the donkey with 'a lovely temperament' in memory of our dear sweet natured little scottie who died in September,who had enjoyed her visit very much to the Sanctuary. We look forward to visiting them all in 2010.
How lucky was I to have my suggestion of Cinnamon for a name drawn out of the hat!! There were so many good suggestions, but I am so excited that I now have a connection to two of the donkeys by sponsoring Moses at EST Birmingham already. Even though I live in Australia I love your site. Congratulations on all the great work you do in helping these amazing creatures!!
Dear Donkeylovers,
It is with a stiff measure of dejection that I notice the name I suggested has not been selected, by random draw or not. I pity in particular my hapless asinine friends "Nibbles" and "Crackers" who have been reduced to snack-related matter and find that my own proud suggestion "Commodore" would have mad a formidable companion to the felicitously baptised Mars and Ravelin. One should not leave these matters up to chance.
In precious concern,
David Hermann
PS: I jest, of course. All names are fine and I wish everybody a happy new year and ensure my continued support..
Only found out this morning. Very pleased to know there is now a donkey called Ravelin roaming the paddocks in deepest Devon. :-D