Birmingham Volunteer

	Name:	Angela Blackford
	Status:	Retired
	Centre:	EST Birmingham

When do you help?

Mondays and some weekends attending shows.

What do you do to help?

I help by grooming and tacking up the donkeys before helping with the riding sessions in the arena either leading the donkey or supporting the special needs child on the donkey. I have also been out to schools with the mobile unit and I have recently started going out with the EST team to shows and events promoting the work of the charity.

Do you enjoy this voluntary work?

Yes as it combines my love of animals and working with special needs children.

Does one particular incident stick in your mind as being special?

I remember well, the trip down to London to present a petition to the Spanish Embassy against the cruelty at Villaneuva. Pedro and Pascoe (two of EST Birmingham's donkeys) pulled the carts carrying the petition through the streets of London and I had the opportunity to meet Katie Boyle and Virginia Mckenna.

I also enjoy going to the shows with Sue and Gill, talking to the visitors at the stand.

How did you hear about the Centre?

My mother had supported the Donkey Sanctuary for many years and received all the newsletters, whichI used to read. When I read EST were opening a Centre in Birmingham I rang for an application form and the rest is history. I am now the longest serving volunteer at the Centre.

Our Birmingham Centre is supported by around 30 volunteers. They are the first line givers of encouragement and assistance in the lesson. In short, they are invaluable - without them the centres could not function.