We sit down with Donkey Guardian Kate Walker, who has been caring for donkeys for almost 30 years at her Cheshire home.
Caring for donkeys Appi and Freddie, is a daily joy for Kate Walker and her husband, Brian.
Kate and Brian first joined our rehoming scheme in 1994 and have cared for many donkeys at their Cheshire-based smallholding.
Kate says: "It's our way of life, and it is an absolute joy".
The couple was inspired to get involved with The Donkey Sanctuary after reading literary works by our late founder, Dr Elisabeth Svendsen.
Equines hold a special place in Kate's heart, having owned horses throughout her life. As a child, both she and her sister were, in their own words, 'horse mad'. They scratched this itch by having riding lessons throughout their school years.
In 1971, shortly after the couple had wed, Kate owned a couple of horses. However, after a few serious falls, she found herself riding horses less and less frequently. The appeal of equines, however, remained strong.
Twenty-three years later, Kate and Brian welcomed their first donkeys to their home after successfully meeting the requirements to join our Rehoming Scheme.
George and Johnny arrived at their farm, and the rest was history!
"We were over the moon," Kate recalls. "They were gorgeous donkeys. George had a beautiful chocolate brown coat, while Johnny was all-white.
"They were a very close pair, and they had fabulous characters."
George and Johnny were the perfect pair to help Kate and Brian adjust to life caring for donkeys.
Kate says: "They were gentle, patient animals – though they did at times enjoy exploring beyond their surroundings!
"One time, a gate had been left open, and George and Johnny both trotted through it, into the grounds of a stately hall that we live next to. They were trotting all over their perfectly manicured lawns! We were mortified. Thankfully, the lady at the hall was ever so nice and even said she wished she could have kept them there!"
Four happy years passed for Kate, Brian and the donkeys until, in 1996, Johnny's health took a turn for the worse. After taking him to hospital, with George right beside him, vets diagnosed an issue with Johnny's liver. Despite their best efforts, little could be done to aid Johnny's recovery, and he sadly passed away.
Kate says: "We were devastated, but as Donkey Guardians, we knew we had to take the rough with the smooth. We were worried about George, though, as they had such a close bond.
"When we brought George home without Johnny, Brian slept in his stable with him during the first night."
Thankfully, it wasn't too long before our teams found a new companion for George in a mare named Bally, who was at our Belfast sanctuary after her rescue.
Kate says: "She was a quiet donkey, who was shy at times, but she settled in very well. Soon, George was back to his charming self."
Bally would enjoy 26 wonderful years living with Kate and Brian. After George had passed, Bally befriended Appi, who had joined the Guardian family in early 2016.
Bally passed away at the beginning of December 2021. It was another devastating blow for Kate and Brian, but they are both thankful they provided Bally with such an enjoyable life.
Bally's passing left Appi without a friend to spend his days with. But just before Christmas, an early present came for both Kate and Appi in the form of Freddie, the donkey.
It's been less than a month since Freddie's arrival, yet he and Appi have struck up an unbreakable bond already.
Now in their seventies, Kate and Brian are both fit as a fiddle, taking their dogs on daily walks through their hamlet. They share the jobs workload of caring for Appi and Freddy.
Kate says: "As long as we are able to care for donkeys, we shall do it. Being Donkey Guardians enriches our lives, and the animals and our countryside are our way of life."
And what does Kate make of the support she has received from The Donkey Sanctuary?
"It's wonderful," she says. "We know if anything happens to us, or we couldn't keep doing what we are doing, Appi and Freddie would go back to the sanctuary.
"It is reassuring for us both, and it is why we will continue to adopt donkeys until we are unable to anymore. We love being Guardians, and we find donkeys very easy animals to care for.
"The Donkey Sanctuary is a marvellous organisation. The work they do here and abroad is amazing, as some of the scenarios donkeys outside of the UK find themselves in is horrendous.
"Looking after these donkeys has enriched our lives. We wouldn't have life any other way."
Donkey Welfare Adviser Keira Benham has paid homage to Kate's commitment throughout the years.
She says: "Kate is such a dedicated Guardian. To continue having donkeys into her retirement is a testament to her and what the scheme is all about.
"She is prepared to offer homes to donkeys, even when she loses one. It is special when you find homes like this that continue to offer donkeys sanctuaries through bereavement.
"We are so pleased to have found Appi a companion to who he is completely attached. It is a happy ending for Appi having a new companion to spend his days with and for Kate, who has found two donkeys of a similar age.
"I really admire Kate; she is such a treasure. One of our hidden heroes for sure!"
