The Sidmouth-based Donkey Sanctuary is challenging keen knitters to turn their needles towards creating a herd of knitted donkeys to raise money for the charity.

Since they first arrived at the Sanctuary, the adorable knitted donkeys have been growing in popularity every year. They are knitted by supporters and then sold in both the Sanctuary visitors’ centre and via the online gift shop to raise funds to support the charity.

As each one is individually hand made, all the knitted donkeys are truly unique creations with their own personalities, just like the Sanctuary’s real life donkeys.

Community fundraising manager, Marian Gumbrell, says “We are thrilled with the success of these lovable characters; our amazing supporters have shown, once again, they can literally turn their hands to anything. Due to the overwhelming success of our knitted donkeys, we now need more supporters to get knitting and help raise money for the work that we do providing sanctuary for needy donkeys.”

To receive a free copy of either knitting pattern, with full instructions, for a ‘Woolley’ (24cm/9 inch high) or ‘Mini Woolley’ (12cm/5inches high), contact Ruth in the community fundraising department on 01395 578222.