ALDI gift card helps supply daily essentials

We were delighted to be chosen by the ALDI store in Fermoy to receive one of ALDI’s Community Grants for 2024.  

Through the Community Grants Programme, every ALDI store and office can vote for a local charity or community group to receive a gift card worth €500, and we were incredibly grateful to the staff at the store in Fermoy for choosing The Donkey Sanctuary Ireland.  

Farm Manager Cormac Kenny says: “We used the gift card to purchase essentials like cordial, ginger nuts, herbal teas and jams which are favourites of our donkeys.

“All these items are also used by our behavioural team, offered as treats for good behaviour during enrichment activities.

“For those donkeys needing daily medication, like retired adoption donkey Nollaig, their grooms mix their medicine with some cordial and ginger paste between two slices of bread, making it a more positive and enjoyable experience.”

Roxie enjoyed her enrichment session involving some strawberry jam

For donkeys recovering in our hospital boxes, enrichment activities are vital for their wellbeing. Roxie, who was recently staying at our hospital while receiving treatment on her foot, had a delightful time with equine behaviourist Martha Payne. Their session featured a treat of strawberry jam, which Roxie joyously smeared all over her nose and face.

With rising costs, this donation from our local ALDI store is a vital contribution, helping us continue this level of care and commitment to the 830 donkeys living at our four farms in Cork.