It's been loved by generations of Manc kids - soon it could be gone
19.06.2024 - 06:23
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Frustrated parents are battling to save a beloved family attraction in Manchester.
Since the opening of the Donkey Sanctuary at Debdale Park almost 20 years ago, families have flocked to the site to interact and visit with the animals they had adopted and loved, but since May 20 that has no longer been possible.
The charity that runs the sanctuary announced that it was entering a consultation over the future of the site, which is still ongoing nearly a month later. The Manchester sanctuary, along with others up and down the country, have been closed ever since.
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On it's website, the Donkey Sanctuary says: "The Donkey Sanctuary is proposing the closure of four of our Donkey Assisted Activity (DAA) centres in Manchester, Ivybridge, Birmingham and Leeds, and for Belfast to become a small sanctuary and re-homing centre. This is subject to a consultation process, which begins week commencing 20 May.
"The changes are being proposed to ensure we can continue to deliver our core mission to improve the welfare of donkeys in the UK and around the world. Throughout the consultation period, all centres involved will be closed to visitors and we will be in touch with all those who have booked visits. Our main site in Sidmouth, Devon, remains open to visitors."
Many members of the Gorton community are furious about the plans and have already launched a campaign of opposition.
An action group, led by Gorton councillor Julie Reid and Labour candidate Andrew Gwynne, was formed to offer a community-led alternative, amidst the consultation process, after feeling questions from the public are being ignored. They fear that losing the sanctuary will have a