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Donkeys are in a state of global crisis with the animals facing population collapse across a number of countries as traders target their skins to export as an ingredient for ejiao, a traditional Chinese medicine.

Channel 5 today announces the return of the Help The Animals appeal for a second consecutive year following last year’s successful launch, which raised a grand total of over £800,000 towards funding and awareness of UK animal welfare charities, including the vital work carried out by the five British animal charities involved: RSPCA, Scottish SPCA, Blue Cross, The Donkey Sanctuary and Wildlife Aid Foundation.

As we pay our respects to those fallen in times of war, we look back to the mules, donkeys and horses that rode into battle with our troops and often sacrificed their lives alongside them.

As the saying goes, the grass is always greener on the other side - and one member of our Sidmouth donkey herd always ensures to test this theory. Meet Tally - The Donkey Sanctuary's pint-sized escape artist.

In Ethiopia, donkeys mean the world to people like Fikadu, Ayelech and their family. Ever since the arrival of a donkey slaughterhouse in their town, the family have stood resolute against the slaughtering of donkeys for their skins.

After ten years with us at The Donkey Sanctuary, where he partook in our Donkey-Assisted Therapy scheme, gentle Eli is putting his hooves up in his new retirement home.

This World Food Day we are looking to donkeys like Diamond - who are loved and cherished by farmers in some of the most barren areas of Namibia.

Recently, the donkeys at our Leeds Donkey-Assisted Therapy centre made connections with some humans who themselves make an enormous impact on the lives of people with mental health conditions. This #WorldMentalHealthDay, we are celebrating the wonderful work done by mental health carers.

When donkeys come into our care, we promise them sanctuary for life – no matter what their backstory. But through our Rehoming Scheme we endeavour to find them forever homes with loving families who have offered to rehome a donkey.

After Irish police voiced their concerns for an abandoned donkey at Tallow Horse Fair, Co. Waterford, The Donkey Sanctuary were able to give the young gelding a brand new start.