STAFF at a care home near Bicester took part in a sponsored walk and raised £250 to hire a donkey for their Christmas celebration.

Employees at Manor House Care Home in Merton brought in Nellie the donkey, which proved popular with residents.

Activities manager Amber Darbyshire teamed up with Melissa Maycock, whose mother is a resident at Manor House, and helped by carers they covered 20 miles between them.

Residents enjoyed feeding Nellie treats in the courtyard.

Ms Darbyshire said: "The walk-a-thon was a great initiative from all of us here at Manor House, helping to bring staff, residents and relatives together for a great cause.

"We did not expect to go as far as 20 miles, but once we had started we couldn’t stop, and the further we went the more money we were able to raise.

"The money was well spent in hiring Nellie, as all the residents and their relatives were excited to meet the donkey and were able to have a really special Christmas celebration."

Manor House is part of the Embrace Group, an independent provider of health and social care to more than 3,500 people in the UK.