Donkey Sanctuary Celebrates Record-Breaking Summer

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is celebrating a record-breaking summer, alongside the success of a new project supporting young Islanders.

The sanctuary's Bridging Hooves programme was created to help students navigate the move from primary to secondary school, build confidence and make new friends.

Funded by the Isle of Wight Council's Community Capacity grant, the pilot saw young people work alongside the sanctuary's animals while developing new skills.

Participants also worked with staff and volunteers to create a large willow donkey sculpture, which is now on display in the sanctuary's central courtyard.

Feedback from the young people was overwhelmingly positive, with one pupil describing the experience as "fun" and "amazing".

Teresa Brimble-Brennan, Family and Community Project Officer at Isle of Wight Council, said the activities were thoughtfully linked to the transition to secondary school and provided a "positive and enriching experience".

The success of Bridging Hooves comes during a record summer for the sanctuary.

More than 33,000 people visited in August alone – its highest monthly total on record.

Overall visitor numbers were also at an all-time high, providing a boost to donations and income as the cost of caring for the sanctuary's more than 120 residents continues to rise.

General Manager Stephen Tobitt said it had been "a summer to remember", adding that seeing young people grow in confidence and knowing the animals and team had played a part was "exactly why we do what we do".

He also thanked the Isle of Wight Council, sanctuary staff, volunteers and everyone who visited over the summer.