What a great way to spend 1st May - in the company of Tia and Ouzo - two donkeys owned by Shelagh Steel, one of our area welfare officers, at a fundraising event organised by Brenda and Richard Perry, the landlords of The Cross Inn, Great Bromley in Essex.

I've been friends with Shelagh for many years before I started working for the Sanctuary so it wasn't unusual for us to chat on the phone. When I mentioned that I would be visiting my parents back in Essex over the bank holiday weekend, Shelagh asked "You wouldn't like to come and give me a hand would you?". Where there's donkeys involved, I had only one answer - yes!

Shelagh was already at The Cross Inn by the time I arrived and both Tia and Ouzo were happily grazing in their patch of garden that had been neatly fenced off. A crowd had gathered around them to have their photos taken which both donkeys kindly obliged.

While Shelagh looked after her donkeys, I set up a stall with the help of my mum who came along for the day.

Chatting with people, it's amazing how small the world can appear. A lady came over and mentioned her grandfather used to have donkeys on Hampstead Heath in London. She said a couple of her relatives go down to the Sanctuary every year and did I know them. She said it in a way not expecting a positive reply. But how her face beamed with a smile when I asked if she was talking about a couple called Jackie and Brian who have been coming to Donkey Week for many years.

The pub was packed by lunchtime with all the tickets for meals sold out in advance. While families and friends relaxed over glasses of wine, live music played with many joining in the songs. I even found myself toe-tapping to a few.

While there were less people around, I wandered over to see Tia and Ouzo to give them some cuddles. Ouzo made us laugh when he started pawing at the ground... a tell-tale sign that a donkey wants to have a roll! It took him a little while to dig 'his patch' and decide what position he preferred. Then he was down on his back, hooves in the air, enjoying a good back scratch. Back up on his feet he gave a snort and walked away leaving a rather bald patch of what had been a very neat lawn!

All too soon it was time to pack up and for Shelagh to take her donkeys home. Brenda absolutely loves donkeys and helped lead Tia and Ouzo to their horsebox. She sent them on their way with a huge bag of carrots to munch on when Tia and Ouzo were back in their stable.