PENSIONERS have had a very special visit – from a donkey.
Eeyore and his minders from the Elisabeth Svendsen Trust called in at Meadow Court Residential Home in Slaithwaite.
Activity co-ordinator Lesley Balmforth described the moment the donkey entered the care home on Meal Hill Lane at Hill Top.
“Everyone was just sat around reading papers when all of a sudden there’s a donkey alongside them,” she said.
“The looks on the faces of the residents were wonderful. They just couldn’t believe what they were seeing.”
All 35 residents of the care home had the chance to stroke and pat 21-year-old Eeyore.
Lesley said: “There was a look of joy on their faces, they were so happy.”
Care home staff handed over some treats to Eeyore afterwards.
“We gave him a big bag of carrots, ginger biscuits, polo mints and apples,” she said.
Lesley added: “The residents talked about the donkey for the rest of the week.
“We took photos of all of them with Eeyore and we’ve put the pictures up at the entrance to the home.”
The Elisabeth Svendsen Trust provides riding classes for children with special needs. The charity has six centres across the UK, including one at Eccup outside Leeds.
Lesley said: “The trust works with children with special needs but they also visit nursing homes so I decided to invite them.”
Eeyore, like many of the trust’s animals, was rescued from neglect.
Lesley said: “He was found in a muddy field and he had problems with his feet.”
The care home has decided to help the charity following Eeyore’s visit. Lesley said: “We’ve adopted another donkey called Simon and he’s going to come and visit us in September.
For more information about the Elisabeth Svendsen Trust visit www.elisabethsvendsentrust.org.uk
