Miniature donkeys in Santa hats toured organisations across Cumbria to spread some Christmas cheer.
The popular four-legged friends from Wyeknot Donkeys again put smiles on the faces of the people they met as part of their annual festive tour of local schools, care homes, church groups and businesses.
Christmas is the busiest time for the community group based near Brampton, and it is always the highlight of the year as the donkeys spread joy throughout the county.
Janice Brown, who runs Wyeknot Donkeys, said: “Our first donkey, Lucy, became known as the Christmas donkey many years ago when we popped a Santa hat on her to walk her to and from her paddock. This started our very popular Christmas tradition.
“Our main mission is to spread the donkey love. When you see people’s faces light up at the sight of the donkeys, it confirms the love and high regard people have for these animals.”
Janice added: “Wyeknot Donkeys is not a business, nor a charity; we are a community group. Because of this, we try to find time for those who have supported us through thick and thin over the last 27 years and those who we think will really appreciate the visit.”
Wyeknot consists of miniature donkeys Shadow, Dusky, Inky and two new recruits, Parsley and Peppercorn.
One of the locations Wyeknot Donkeys visited this year was Saint & Co Chartered Accountants at its headquarters on Carlisle’s Rosehill Industrial Estate, with Parsley and Peppercorn popular visitors.
Lindsay Farrer, a partner at Saint & Co, said: “The visit of Wyeknot is the highlight of the year for many of our staff and they love getting up close to the donkeys.
“It is a real Christmas treat for us all and we like to invite some of our clients so we can spread the festive cheer.”
