Donkey Derby
The deep dive you've all been waiting for...
Donkey Derby
by Caroline Danks
Picture description: an adorable grey donkey with its head resting on a rustic fence with a smaller (also adorable, possibly baby) brown donkey snuggling in.
I am not unaware of the well worn charity sector trope which singles out the Donkey Sanctuary as an “over-bloated behemoth, getting rich off multiple Dorothy donors and their super-size legacy gifts”, whilst other causes limp along, gazing with envy as the Donkeys rake in the millions.
I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t occasionally participated in this rhetoric.
But is this fair?
Are we right to feel like the donkeys are grabbing funds otherwise destined for the rest of us?
Or are we just bitter and frustrated at shrinking government contracts, increased costs and huge demand?
The sector is contracting, whilst more and more people struggle to get by without having their basic needs met.
So, are the donkeys to blame?
Is it all their fault?
Let’s settle this once and for all.
The figures
Here are the topline figures from the Donkey Sanctuary’s Annual Accounts for the past six years.