Only Fools And Horses TV stars donate signed items for auction to boost Hayling Island Donkey Sanctuary as it prepares to reopen

STAR support has boosted Hayling Island Donkey Sanctuary as celebrity patrons have donated signed items for auction.
By Belinda Dickins
Published 1st Apr 2021, 13:41 BST

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As volunteers at the sanctuary are beginning to look towards opening their doors again, charity patron John Challis and his TV co-star Sue Holderness decided to help with ongoing fundraising efforts.

John, best known for playing Boycie in Only Fools and Horses, and Sue, who played his on-screen wife Marlene, have signed two Royal Mail first day covers and a special A4 stamp sheet.

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Animal-loving volunteers are hoping to auction these items to fans of the popular TV show to help boost the charity which has been closed for much of the past year due to the pandemic.

Hayling Island Donkey Sanctuary received a donation from patron and good friend John 'Boycie' Challis and TV co star Sue 'Marlene' Holderness to boost their fundraising. Pictured: Volunteer Phill Upshall with a couple of donkeys and the signed itemsHayling Island Donkey Sanctuary received a donation from patron and good friend John 'Boycie' Challis and TV co star Sue 'Marlene' Holderness to boost their fundraising. Pictured: Volunteer Phill Upshall with a couple of donkeys and the signed items
Hayling Island Donkey Sanctuary received a donation from patron and good friend John 'Boycie' Challis and TV co star Sue 'Marlene' Holderness to boost their fundraising. Pictured: Volunteer Phill Upshall with a couple of donkeys and the signed items
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Two new donkeys welcomed to Hayling Island Donkey Sanctuary as supporters encour...

Volunteer Phill Upshall said: ‘We are delighted that two of television’s biggest stars are helping with our ongoing fundraising in what has been a most difficult year.

‘Sue sent us a lovely best wishes card and told me she supports The Brooke Animal Hospital and visits the Cairo branch when she can.

‘We have a Boycie and a Denzil donkey and Sue asked that when we have a suitable jenny we can name her Marlene. “Cushty!” we said.’

Only Fools and Horses actor John Challis visited Hayling Island Donkey Sanctuary last year to open two new shelters and meet a donkey named after his character BoycieOnly Fools and Horses actor John Challis visited Hayling Island Donkey Sanctuary last year to open two new shelters and meet a donkey named after his character Boycie
Only Fools and Horses actor John Challis visited Hayling Island Donkey Sanctuary last year to open two new shelters and meet a donkey named after his character Boycie

SEE ALSO: Determined Hilsea girl, 6, takes 300,000 steps in March to raise £1,100 for children's ward at Queen Alexandra Hospital

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The sanctuary is hoping to reopen in early May and welcome back its many supporters and adopters who are desperate to see the 22 retired and rescued donkeys.

A Covid-safe booking only regime will be in place to start with to ensure all visitors and volunteers can be kept safe during their visit.

The auction is being held on the sanctuary’s Facebook page until midnight on Easter Monday.

The signed items from the actorsThe signed items from the actors
The signed items from the actors

For more information, visit haylingdonkeys.co.uk or find Hayling Island Donkey Sanctuary on Facebook.

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