💬 Volunteer Voices: Meet Alicia

For Volunteers’ Week 2025, we’re celebrating all the ways people help make life at Crosskennan possible. Today, we’re spotlighting Alicia, who helps both on-site and behind the scenes with essential admin work.

From wheelbarrows to spreadsheets, Alicia gives her time with heart and humour — and like many of our volunteers, she’s formed a special bond with a certain long-eared companion…

🌟 Here’s Alicia’s story, in her own words:

“I love all the horses and donkeys, but the one who has stood out the most to me is Cyril the Donkey. He is just the cutest and loveliest natured wee man. He follows me about with my wheelbarrow and comes over and scratches himself on it and looks for me to pet him and give him hugs.

The best moment for me was recently when he followed me into the field and came right up to me and put his head on my chest (pic for proof lolol) so I could pet his head and hug him. He’s the best boy — I would take him home with me if I could, but my landlord might have something to say if he saw a donkey in the window! 😆😆

There are other options to help even if people don’t have the time to spare to help out on the yard physically. One way to help would be signing up to sponsor an animal. The options for this start from just £3 a month — which in today’s climate wouldn’t buy you very much.

If everyone who followed Crosskennan on social media signed up to sponsor an animal for £3 a month, it would change things so much for the Sanctuary. Having that guaranteed income every month would make such a difference to both the animals and staff.”

💚 Thank you, Alicia — for your energy, your admin support, and your love for Cyril and all our four-legged friends. You’re part of what makes this sanctuary a home.

🐾 Want to Help Too?

Whether you can volunteer on site or lend a hand from home, there’s always a way to make a difference.

✅ Volunteer with us – yard, admin, events, outreach and more!

✅ Sponsor an animal – starting from just £3 a month, it’s one of the easiest and most powerful ways to support the sanctuary.

📧 Get in touch: volunteer@crosskennanlane.org.uk

🐴 Sponsor info: [Insert link to sponsorship page]

🕊️ Please be patient with us! We’re currently working through lots of volunteer applications — or better yet, join the admin team and help us process them faster!

👀 More Stories Coming Soon

We’ll continue sharing more incredible volunteer stories all week across our website and social media. Every story is a reminder that people — just like Cyril — have a way of showing up when they’re needed most.

With love and thanks,

– The Crosskennan Team