Two donkeys who were rescued from starvation in a debris-scattered field have become beloved companions to a bereaved donkey.
Marina and her son Splash, who endured one of the UK’s most dangerous storms three years ago, have settled into life at Sacrewell Farm in Cambridgeshire.
The heritage farm and country centre is home to Marina and Splash’s new companion, a donkey called Mr Mint.
After losing his half-sister Joules last summer, Mr Mint had been longing for a new companion – and since their arrival, he has formed an unbreakable bond with the mother and son.
A stormy rescue
We discovered Marina and Splash in 2020 at the height of Storm Dennis, one of the UK’s most violent windstorms.
Marina was underweight and her hooves were overgrown. The lack of grazing in her field meant she struggled to produce milk for Splash.
Marina and Splash were confined to a strip of boggy land in a field alongside two other young donkeys, Dennis and Storm.
The donkeys were surrounded by industrial metal fencing and much of the area had flooded after a heavy rainfall.
They were also living among strips of barbed wire, broken windows and shards of glass, and building debris, which posed a risk of serious injury.
Thankfully, we were able to rescue the four donkeys and transport them to a holding base, where they were provided with a warm, spacious stable to rest in and recuperate.
A new start
Now, Marina and Splash have seen their journey take them to Sacrewell Farm, where they have captured the hearts of the staff and local community.
Noah Rose, Livestock Manager at Sacrewell, says: “We have been waiting for new donkey friends for Mr Mint, so this is just beyond exciting. It’s not been long, but we can’t imagine life on the farm without them both.
“When Joules passed last year, we reached out to The Donkey Sanctuary for their help, and they matched us with a pair of donkeys who needed rehoming. We’re so thankful for their work and for their supporters, who help make stories like this possible.
“Marina and Splash have already been a source of joy for our visitors and we can’t wait to see them flourish more in the months to come.”