Local NHS teams and social care providers are using personal protective equipment (PPE) donated by The Donkey Sanctuary during the coronavirus crisis.

The veterinary team based at the Sidmouth headquarters use much of the same type of equipment as the NHS.

Because there are fewer people working on-site during lockdown, they had spare PPE.

They have provided full facemasks and spare filters, surgical caps, full body suits, full length surgical gowns, particulate respirators, surgical hand disinfection and hand gel.

They have kept back enough for their own needs, treating the resident donkeys and mules in its centres across the UK.

The vet team have also been working closely with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to lend vital equipment to the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital.

Dr Faith Burden, director of research and operational support, said: “We have all seen the incredible and selfless work that the NHS has been doing to keep us all safe and we wanted to play our part in supporting them.”