Eight pupils at St. Edwards C of E Primary School in Rochdale will swap their typical class for a donkey care course on 26th June 2012.

The school fosters two donkeys from international animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary, and a further training course is being held to teach even more people how to care for them.

Donkeys Joop and Maco came to the school in August 2011 as part of The Donkey Sanctuary’s foster scheme, and have proven very popular with staff and students alike. A number of pupils and teachers have already completed courses in donkey care with The Donkey Sanctuary, and this latest day will enable even more adults and young people to join in the fun of feeding, grooming, mucking out and walking the donkeys each day.

Headteacher Lynne Coxell explains:

“Fostering Joop and Maco with The Donkey Sanctuary is one of the best things the school has ever done. Not only does the animal contact help the children learn and understand about empathy and the environment, but spending time with the donkeys is incredibly therapeutic for both staff and pupils. The donkeys are so popular that we have no shortage of volunteers to groom and walk them each morning before school and even at weekends! Joop and Maco are a fantastic asset to our school and the children’s lives and we all love looking after them. Those on the donkey care day on 26th June are counting down the days until they can join in with the fun of caring for them as well.”

To find out more about fostering donkeys with The Donkey Sanctuary, please visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/fostering.

The Donkey Sanctuary regularly holds free donkey care courses around the UK, for details please visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/trainingcentre.

For an interview, further information or images, please contact The Donkey Sanctuary press office on 01395 573097/573014, mobile 07970 927778 or via email.

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