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THE "TRADITIONAL" AND SIMPLE ATTRACTION IS CAUSING A STIR AMONG RESIDENTS WHO HAVE LIVED IN THE AREA FOR DECADES 05:07, 31 May 2025 A heart-warming family attraction in the West
Midlands has exploded in popularity, much to the surprise of its owner and local residents. Knowle Donkey Sanctuary opened in August 2024 but was "kept quiet" until owner Mark
Roberts felt it would be able to cater to families. Incredibly since then, the five-donkey site has delighted hundreds of families, local care home residents and children with additional
needs - and it is completely free so the community can access the benefits of fresh air and animals. READ MORE: 'We feed 1,000 Brummies a month but council rates mean we face closing
the doors' The sanctuary, in Knowle in Solihull, was set up by Mark Roberts at the start of 2024, before officially opening to the public in August. "It started with 1-2-1 visits
with children with disabilities, since then we have had permission granted for parking and an access point" Mark, 60, told BirminghamLive. Article continues below The popularity of the
attraction, which is free, and relies on donations, has grown rapidly, which is why Mark and his team of volunteers kept it quiet until they were further along with developing the site.
_LOOK THROUGH OUR PICTURES FROM INSIDE THE SANCTUARY BELOW:_ READ MORE: Inside 'wonderful' Knowle Donkey Sanctuary "People are surprised, we kept it pretty quiet" he
said. Adding: "It has been a very slow launch over the last 18 months. "We didn't want to go all guns blazing, people say they have lived in Knowle for 30 years and
didn't know we were here. "It's pretty much just a field, shelter, five donkeys, a toilet and we run out of a shipping container." The sanctuary currently has five
donkeys, Snowy, Truffle, Willow, Roberta and Boris and saw a record number of visitors on Easter Thursday with 130 people in one day. While there is no entry fee, visitors can buy tea,
coffee and cake and are allowed to bring picnics with them. Mark explained: "Boris, he was gifted to someone who was having mental health difficulties but could not look after him so
was left in a field. "Donkeys are not waterproof like cows, they need water and shelter. "It was causing a lot of Boris' hair to go. Roberta was in a field with big horses,
they did not get on, it's all sorts. "She was well looked after by her owner." Donkeys are also used in the beauty trade, with millions slaughtered abroad so the collagen from
their skin produces ejiao, a traditional Chinese medicine that is believed to have health-boosting properties that give a youthful look. A report from the Donkey Sanctuary, which has
campaigned since 2017 against their use in the beauty industry, estimates that globally at least 5.9 million donkeys are slaughtered every year to supply it. Mark told BirminghamLive it is a
well-known issue, but all of the donkeys at his sanctuary have come as a result of ill-heath or because they could not be housed anymore. Mark himself is in semi-retirement, but had worked
with animals as a youngster, before moving into a busy career in the automotive and construction industries. "I have been all over, I am a mixed bag, I have lived in Solihull since I
was seven." He said the centre is run by a good core of volunteers, and he plans to finish building a further stable block as the centre grows. "It makes a huge difference to
mental wellbeing, children with ADHD they calm right down when they are around animals it is very good for kids with autism. "Donkeys love human interaction the amount of testimonials I
have from parents it's lovely." So how did he go from working as a busy contractor to setting up a sanctuary? Mark replied: "It just happened, I bought this land and I
thought I need some animals, it is something different, I have always loved donkeys, I have always had an affinity with them." Entry is free, as Mark explained: "The idea is let
people with no money to come here." Marcus Queenborough from Birmingham visited the site in May and told BirminghamLive: "It is a fascinating place and wonderful to see the donkeys
in a caring environment. You can find out more on their Facebook page. "I am always keen to support a small and growing Donkey Sanctuary in its vital work. A place with traditional
values and vibe, just on the edge of Knowle. Article continues below "It is a place you leave with a warm heart and a spring in your step feeling you have helped a worthwhile
cause." Knowle Donkey Sanctuary is based at Seven Acre Farm, Warwick Road, Knowle. It is open on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 3pm and on Tuesday and Thursday in school holidays.