Forty decorated donkeys will soon be taking to the streets of Weston-super-Mare. The donkeys, which are made from fibreglass and resin, are being sponsored by local businesses and will brighten up the town during the summer months.
Weston Grand Pier events co-ordinator Fiona Hooper sourced the donkeys from as far away as the Philippines and has been responsible for securing business sponsorship for them.
Some of the donkeys will be auctioned off on the Grand Pier for BBC Children in Need in November. The BBC will be on the Grand Pier filming during the auction.
One of the donkeys will be raffled off, which will give a local person the chance to win a donkey. Another donkey will be turned into a money box for Weston Hospice.
The donkeys are being painted by artists from all over the South West region. Worle-based artist Nick Sparks is in the process of painting the donkey sponsored by Wookey Hole Caves. His design is black and white and features a spider’s web with coloured spider on the donkey’s back.
Nick Sparks said: “Painting a donkey is a unique experience. Everyone has their own view. The whole process has been an inspiration”.
Fiona Hooper said she was still looking for local businesses to sponsor the few remaining donkeys.
She said: “Sponsoring a donkey costs just £500, which covers the cost of the donkey, the plinth it stands on and fixing it into place. Each sponsor has a plaque next to their donkey acknowledging their support.
“We have been inundated by artists wanting to have the chance to paint a donkey. All we need now is to get the last few donkeys sponsored so we can brighten up the streets of Weston and raise a lot of money for a good cause at the same time”.
For further details on how to sponsor a donkey email fiona.hooper@grandpier.co.uk
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