How clothes from Fife students are giving relief to donkeys in Devon at mercy of insects
An inspiring recycling initiative in Fife will offer rescued donkeys relief from biting insects this summer.
After hearing how unwanted trousers and leggings can help protect the resident herds of The Donkey Sanctuary, staff and students at the University of St Andrews gathered up a collection of suitable items left over from their recycling project, which donkeys in a quiet corner of Devon can now be seen sporting in their pastures.
The University has its own re-use shop, which is part of Transition University of St Andrews Sharing Economy programme. Students can donate old clothing when they leave for the summer break and when they graduate, for other students to have.
Anything left can be donated for reuse or upcycling to Fife charities, local creators and schools, with the remaining unwanted pieces normally being thrown away - and these have also gone to help donkeys in the West Country.
Anya Hart Dyke, project officer, said: ““We hate seeing any clothes go to waste so we were delighted to source items that were too faded, or worse for wear, to be reworn by students. We’re always looking for new opportunities to keep clothes in play so were thrilled when The Donkey Sanctuary agreed to make use of clothes that would have otherwise been incinerated.
“It tickled us pink to think of donkeys wearing leggings and pyjama bottoms to protect their legs from biting insects.”
The loose-fitting trousers, leggings or pyjamas are cut to fit individual donkeys, which by their nature, can get through several pairs a week as they roam around their pastures.
Lisa Coles, one of the grooms at The Donkey Sanctuary’s Paccombe Farm in Devon, said: “Every summer many donkeys in our resident herds face the irritation of biting flies. The older ones in our care seem to suffer the most as they are not as active as the younger donkeys, which is heartbreaking to see.”
“We were delighted to receive the donation of snazzy leggings and trousers from St Andrews,” Lisa adds. “Even though the legwear may look a bit unusual at first glance, it really does make a difference to the welfare of our donkeys.”