In January 2012 the Elisabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys officially merged into The Donkey Sanctuary.
This means that The Donkey Sanctuary’s activities will now include donkey-assisted therapy for children with additional needs and therapeutic visits for elderly people in the local community from centres in Belfast, Birmingham, Ivybridge, Leeds, Manchester and Sidmouth.
Both charities have their origins from the 1970s as a direct result of the hard work and initiative of Dr Elisabeth Svendsen MBE. They have since worked side-by-side, linked closely through the donkeys, as well as many shared administrative tasks and fundraising activities.
After a period of consultation between trustees and directors of both charities, the merger was seen as a positive move to strengthen our excellent working relationship and help rationalise on administrative costs.
