Pam Smiley from Ivybridge has signed up for a charity trek in Spain, in aid of the Sidmouth-based Donkey Sanctuary.

She has just over four weeks remaining to prepare for the 57km trek along the Genal Valley in Spain which involves 17 hours of walking over three days. She has to raise the minimum sponsorship of £1,500 and has been well supported by family and friends to date.

She currently volunteers at the Elisabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys (EST) donkey-riding centre in Ivybridge which is where she first heard about the trek.

“My friends suggested I help volunteer at the EST centre where children with special needs receive riding therapy, which has turned out to be very helpful in overcoming the loss of my husband. The donkeys and children didn't know my history and I can just be me.

My husband and I loved walking together and this trek has been the push I needed to get back out there.”

The event (12-18th October) takes participants on a three-day hike through part of the Serranía de Ronda mountain range in south western Andalusia, and ends with a hands-on visit to the Sanctuary's Spanish rescue centre, El Refugio del Burrito, to work with the rescued donkeys.

The trek is the first of its kind to be organised by the Sanctuary and will help raise funds to keep its European rescue centres running, which helps donkeys like Hope who had her ears chopped off by vandals.

Anyone who would like to help Pam reach her £1,500 sponsorship target should get in touch via the EST Ivybridge Centre (where she volunteers) on 01752 690200.