A SIDMOUTH donkey-riding centre for children with special needs and disabilities has launched an appeal inviting people to adopt a donkey as a gift for a friend or relative to help support its work.

A SIDMOUTH donkey-riding centre for children with special needs and disabilities has launched an appeal inviting people to adopt a donkey as a gift for a friend or relative to help support its work.

Now it is offering Sidmouth Herald readers the chance to win one of five adoption packs worth �22.50.*

The Sidmouth centre of The Elisabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys (EST), based within the grounds of The Donkey Sanctuary, has four donkeys - Daniel P, Busby, Little Vijay and Timothy - for adoption.

Once they have chosen their donkey, from these four, each winner will receive the 12-month adoption pack, which includes details of their donkey, a beautiful drawing, adoption certificate and DVD of the donkey group. They also get news about their adopted donkey after six months.

Money raised through its Adopt a Donkey scheme helps support EST's costs in providing riding therapy, free of charge, to more than 150 children each week.

Lauriel Harris, principal of the centre said: "Each of our four adoption donkeys are specially chosen for the job based upon their friendly natures and really enjoy working with the children.

"They all have their own unique personalities. Daniel P is a gentle giant who is lovable and affectionate.

"Busby loves lapping up the admiring attention he gets whilst proudly riding around the ring.

"Little Vijay can be very cheeky and playful and loves to make friends and Timothy is very inquisitive and just loves the attention he gets from our visitors."

For those missing our competition, EST wants to encourage readers to adopt a donkey either as a Christmas gift or for themselves.

Arrangements can be made to visit your selected donkey by appointment only.

Anyone interested in adopting a donkey should call the Donkey Sanctuary on (01395) 573133 or visit www.elisabethsvendsentrust.org.uk.

*You will need a copy of today's Sidmouth Herald to enter this competition.