Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary nestles in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside, in the picturesque village of Brightwell-cum-Sotwell. One of the newer residents is Midge. When she first came to the sanctuary, she was lice-ridden, covered in bald patches, her teeth were broken and her feet were badly twisted.

With the care and attention that the sanctuary provides, Midge has made a remarkable recovery and now enjoys life at Island Farm. Midge is one of 80 donkeys living at the sanctuary, all of which have been rescued from lives of abuse and ill-treatment. Island Farm never turns away a needy donkey, and follows up every referral, from police, animal welfare organisations and the public. Despite the poor condition of the donkeys they still have a price on their heads, as they can be exported and sold for meat. Island Farm pays between £250 and £500 to ensure the future of these donkeys is brighter than their pasts, and to prevent their lives of suffering ending in such a tragic way. Island Farm is a registered charity that is fully reliant on fundraising activities to finance the running of the sanctuary and to secure the safety of the donkeys.

Events are held at the sanctuary every other weekend, and there are lots of opportunities to get involved, helping to set up, running a stall or lending a hand with the catering. If you enjoy being hands on with the animals, there are also opportunities to work in the yards, mucking out and generally helping with the well-being of the donkeys, or accompanying a donkey on a public relations exercise to a fête or function.

Hosting coffee mornings or organising a car boot sale in their own area are some other ideas that work well for supporters of the sanctuary. Any help is always gratefully received, in order to keep the donkeys safe and secure.

Island Farm, which is situated halfway between Wallingford and Didcot at Brightwell Cum Sotwell on the A4130, is open seven days a week, between 11am and 4pm, and entrance is free. Visitors are always welcome. If you feel that you can help in any way, or wish to make a donation you can contact the sanctuary via the website: www.donkeyrescue.org or by sending an email to: IslandFarmDonkeySan@hotmail.co.uk or by calling 01491 833938.