Hayling Island Donkey Sanctuary delighted to reopen for visitors after months of closure

After relying on the kindness of supporters throughout the pandemic, Hayling Island Donkey Sanctuary will welcome animal lovers for the first time in months as it reopens this weekend.

New rules have been introduced to keep people safe while spending time with the rescued and retired animals, including essential booking in advance, a one-way system and plenty of hand sanitiser.

Phill Upshall, senior volunteer, can’t wait to get back to meeting and greeting donkey-loving visitors.

He said: ‘We’re happy to announce we’re back and running which we desperately need. We survived on the kindness of people with donations of hay but we’re desperate to get people back and get some money in the tills.

‘People can still touch the donkeys - they love people coming to meet them, they do look for people around opening time.’

The centre opened for two busy weekends in March before it had to close down during lockdown - and owners Paul and Tracy Hunt put out a plea for support, which has kept the sanctuary going.

From tomorrow , it will open each Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday throughout August and September, as well as the August Bank Holiday.

Limited visitor numbers will be necessary, so keen guests need to book a visit in advance for a time slot of an hour and a half at either 11am, 1pm or 3pm by calling the booking number on 07720 204685.

SEE ALSO: Young Gosport volunteers seek new group members after supporting each other through lockdown

On the day of the visit, people will be booked in from their cars and will be called upon to enter around the one way system, using hand sanitiser on entry and exit. There is a toilet onsite which will be cleaned after each use.

Daphne’s Tea Trailer will be open on site, serving homemade cakes and drinks with both indoor and outdoor seating available.

The shop and visitor centre is also open with lots of donkey related merchandise, donkey adoptions and Northney ice creams are available.

The sanctuary relies on donations and purchases to survive and give the donkeys the care they need. For more information about visiting, go to haylingdonkeys.co.uk

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