THE DONKEY SANCTUARY
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that total consolidated income remained stable at £59.6m, with total expenditure held at £56.9m, resulting in a net addition to funds of £4.7m. The charity reports unrestricted general funds of £32.9m available to cover its specific reserves requirement, which is set at a target range of £23-31m. The trustees consider the position prudent given the current economic environment and have maintained reserves at the upper end of the target range.
What the accounts disclose
“The ratio of remuneration of the highest paid employee at end of December 2025 (£153,182) to the median remuneration of employees £30,782 was 1:5”
“The number of employees whose emoluments amounted to over £60,000 in the year was as follows: 2025 No. 20” — page 40
“As at the end of 2025, the target range for specific reserves was £23-31m, to be held mainly in cash, cash equivalents and investments, net of short-term creditors. Stock and legacy debtors are excluded from specific reserves as these assets cannot be readily converted into cash when needed.”
“It also operates two UK trading subsidiaries Donkey World Limited and The Hayloft (Donkey Sanctuary) Limited, which provide additional income from the sale of goods and the operation of catering facilities to the visitor centre in Sidmouth.”
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (23/03/2026)
- Received assets from another charity (14/02/2026)
Trustees
- Ajay Barai
- David Paul Lunn
- Dr Andrew Stringer
- Dr Thomas Mitchell
- Edemekong Uyoh
- Elizabeth Cecilia Sheldon
- Karen Reed
- Lucy Back
- Lucy Metcalfe
- Sharon Martin
- Vivienne Hole
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £59.6m | £57.0m |
| 31/12/2024 | £0 | £0 |
Common questions
Is THE DONKEY SANCTUARY financially healthy?
The accounts state that total consolidated income remained stable at £59.6m, with total expenditure held at £56.9m, resulting in a net addition to funds of £4.7m. The charity reports unrestricted general funds of £32.9m available to cover its specific reserves requirement, which is set at a target range of £23-31m. The trustees consider the position prudent given the current economic environment and have maintained reserves at the upper end of the target range. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by HaysMac LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of THE DONKEY SANCTUARY earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £150,001 - £160,000 band, and 20 employees earned over £60,000.
Who funds THE DONKEY SANCTUARY?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE DONKEY SANCTUARY as a grant recipient include WILLIAM GEOFFREY HARVEY'S DISCRETIONARY SETTLEMENT NO 2, THE ROSE ANIMAL WELFARE TRUST CIO, Ripple Effect International, THE ANNANDALE CHARITABLE TRUST, MARJORIE COOTE ANIMAL CHARITY TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| WILLIAM GEOFFREY HARVEY'S DISCRETIONARY SETTLEMENT NO 2 | FY2024 | £26k |
| THE ROSE ANIMAL WELFARE TRUST CIO | FY2022 | £15k |
| Ripple Effect International | FY2023 | £12k |
| THE ANNANDALE CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £11k |
| MARJORIE COOTE ANIMAL CHARITY TRUST | FY2022 | £8k |
| THE WILLIE AND MABEL MORRIS CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £7k |
| CECIL PILKINGTON CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £5k |
| MRS D M FRANCE-HAYHURST FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £5k |
| CECIL PILKINGTON CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £5k |
| THE ANNANDALE CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £5k |
| M J CAMP CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £3k |
| THE JONATHAN TOWLER FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £2k |
| THE ANTHONY & PAT CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £1k |
| THE JONATHAN TOWLER FOUNDATION | FY2025 | £1k |
| THE A AND R WOOLF CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £1k |
| THE WILLIE AND MABEL MORRIS CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £500 |
| DUMBRECK CHARITY | FY2025 | £500 |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST BRIDE FLEET STREET | FY2024 | £189 |
| THE ANNANDALE CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £0 |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE ALBORADA TRUST | 1 | £411k |
| THE CRANBROOK FOUNDATION | 1 | £119k |
| THE UNDERWOOD TRUST | 1 | £50k |
| The Brindle Foundation | 1 | £50k |
| THE SERTH AND GATES CHARITY | 1 | £49k |
| TOBY AND REGINA WYLES CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £26k |
| SIR PETER O'SULLEVAN CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £25k |
| PHILIP BREEZE WILL TRUST | 1 | £12k |