On Wednesday 9 November 2011, welfare officers from international animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary will be presenting top regional awards to a prize-winning working donkey owner whose donkeys provide traditional rides on Dymchurch beach in Kent.
Tom Turnbull’s donkey Sam has been given the title of Best Child-Friendly Donkey 2011 (South and South East England) by the donkey-welfare charity whose ‘Working Donkey Awards’ scheme recognises owners achieving good standards of welfare for their donkeys in individual regions of the UK.
Mark Kerr, the Sanctuary’s regional welfare officer said: “Sam provides donkey rides on Dymchurch beach, is very well cared for and has a lovely, friendly nature, making him the ideal candidate for Best Child-Friendly Donkey in the region.”
Media are invited to take photographs at the presentation, which is due to take place at 11:30am at Mr Turnbull’s property in Camber, Kent. For more details please contact Mark Kerr on 07770 683767.
Around 1,000 donkeys work on UK beaches giving traditional rides to children. The Donkey Sanctuary’s Code of Practice for Working Donkeys, which sets out maximum weight limits and regular breaks, is widely accepted by owners up and down the country.
For more information on The Donkey Sanctuary’s work with working donkeys, please visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/welfare.
For an interview, further information or images, please contact The Donkey Sanctuary press office on 01395 573097/573014, mobile 07970 927778 or via email.
Latest press releases