RESIDENTS at Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary near Wallingford were braying with delight after a visit from Southern Electric Power Distribution.

The team of eleven, from SEPD’s major projects team, spent the day mucking out the stables, painting the newly constructed equine hospital and even learned the art of grooming – the latter bringing out some satisfied whinnying from the donkeys as the summer sun beat down on the Oxfordshire countryside.

All of it was possible thanks to SEPD’s "Be The Difference" scheme, which allows every member of staff a day away from their day job to help a local charity or good cause.

The visit to Island Farm was the brainchild of SEPD’s Zsuzsa Suto-Somogyvari, who was keen to use her Be The Difference day to help a local animal charity, and was delighted when her colleagues also wanted to lend a hand.

Zsuzsa said: "I love animals and really wanted to help a local charity or rescue centre as part of our Be The Difference campaign.

"I did a bit of research and found the Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary, and was so impressed with their efforts to look after donkeys that have had a hard life or who had perhaps been mistreated.

"Everyone in the team has really enjoyed their day at the sanctuary, and it was very satisfying to see the donkeys happy and contented after we had groomed their coats."

Stuart McLaren from the Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary said: "We were delighted to hear from Southern Electric Power Distribution asking if we could use some extra pairs of hands.

"Volunteers are essential to the running of the sanctuary and the excellent work done by the group from SEPD is very much appreciated."