Leeds horse sanctuary celebrates 20 years with volunteer call

An equine sanctuary in West Yorkshire is calling for volunteers as it celebrates its 20th anniversary.

Hope Pastures in Leeds rescues and rehabilitates horses and donkeys in need and is also open to the public.

Its manager said it was a "very expensive place to run" and is calling for volunteers to help with fundraising and looking after the animals.

She told the BBC: "You don't have to be confident with horses and ponies, just enthusiastic about the outdoors."

Hope Pastures has been in Weetwood since the 1970s, but the current trustees have run the charity since 2004.

Manager Amanda Searle said horses, ponies and donkeys can require a sanctuary for a number of reasons.

She said: "It can be because someone's life has changed massively - they may have run out of money, become ill or someone may have died.

"Older ponies are harder to rehome, too - 'companion ponies' aren't as popular."

Ms Searle said budding volunteers did not necessarily require any previous experience with horses.

She added: "We are looking for staff for the visitor centre, caretakers as well as yard staff.

"We need fundraisers to help at events, or people who want to do projects like sponsored walks, for example."

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