03 June 2024

Thank you to the Anthony and Elaine Bethell Charitable Foundation

Arya and Merlin at the cheque presentation

Arya and Merlin were 'on hoof' to receive the kind donation!

We want to say a huge thank you to the Anthony and Elaine Bethell Charitable Foundation. They have donated £25,000 to the ongoing works at Redwings Oxhill, to help deck out our new donkey barn!

We finished building the new barn earlier this year, and this funding will help with the fixtures and fittings for their new pad, and adjoining woodchip.

Redwings Oxhill is home to seven donkeys, including Adoption Stars Timothy and Cain, and Arya. Donkeys are designed to live in hot, arid climates, meaning they are not best suited to the Great British weather! The barn and woodchips will therefore provide crucial shelter from the elements and somewhere dry to rest their hooves.

Foundation Trustee Ian Phillips felt compelled to help Redwings Oxhill after seeing first-hand the tireless work and compassion of our team, led by Centre Manager Helen and Visitor Centre Manager Emily.

“It was Emily I met when I first visited the Oxhill centre,” he said. “It was her passion, dedication and professionalism that convinced me it was a cause worthy of the Foundation’s support.

“The work Redwings do rescuing and caring for their residents is outstanding. I was quite staggered to learn that they are caring for over 2,000 animals across the UK, 60 of them at Oxhill.”

We can’t wait for the donkeys to move into their new digs! We will be sure to keep you updated on the last stages of the exciting works.

“We can’t really thank the Foundation enough,” she said. “Because they have very specialised care needs, we don’t rehome many of the donkeys we rescue. We cater for them all at our different sites.

“This donation will help us to provide better, all-weather care to some of our most vulnerable residents. They can’t wait to move into their new permanent, purpose-built home.”