Meet Wilbur, the rescue donkey

Kissing an ass to win a holiday to Kuzuko Lodge is not something that I would usually suggest to those who follow my blog. But kissing this ass, in particular, is very important to me. Because the ass has a name and a story filled with courage, hope and strength.

Meet Wilbur. A beautiful, woolly, scraggly rescue donkey (ass) from the East Cape Horse Care Unit (‘ECHCU’) who recently found his “Happily Ever After” home at Grass Roof Farm Stall in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha).

As a cart-horse, which is how many of the donkeys are used to make a living for their owners, Wilbur was mistreated and abused until the late Megan Hope, from the Horse Care Unit intervened and rescued Wilbur and his partner, Junior, who were rehabilitated with the help of Tracy Schoeman and then adopted to their forever home by Nicky Charlewood from Grass Roof.

Raising money for any organisation is never easy, and even more so because of the Covid19 pandemic that has not only affected our pockets, but also how we raise funds and support one other. We have not been able to hug, kiss and even shake each others’ hands over these last few years, however, we can hug and kiss our furry friends as much as we like, which is why Grass Roof and the ECHCU thought of a novel way to raise much-needed funds for the unit. It will be all about “donkeys helping donkeys”, said Helena Cullis, the organiser of the “kiss my ass” fundraising event.

A kissing booth – made by Leon and Bets Swanepoel – and signage done by Doron Blackman from Brightsparx Signage will be set up in the paddock at Grassroof on 16th, 17th and 18th December from 9.30am to 11.30am and members of the public will be encouraged to come along, pay a donation (minimum of R10) and kiss Wilbur, the donkey. There is an Instagram page for Wilbur and photos can be taken and shared on the page… Who said donkeys can’t also be influencers!

Stand a chance to win a one night stay for two adults and two kids including the junior ranger program at Kuzuko Lodge when you upload your selfie with Wilbur to Instagram and tag @life_with_wilbur_ and @grass_roof and @kuzukolodge remember to hashtag #lifewithwilbur #grassroof and #kuzukolodge in your post too! T’s & C’s apply.

But that’s not all…

Bring your kids along to join “The big walk for Wilbur” which will also take place on the 16th at 8am. “We want to make this an annual event and all proceeds from the walk will go towards the horse care unit and the first 100 people will receive a Wilbur T-shirt, as well as a 500ml still water on the day of the walk’ said Nicky, the owner of Grass Roof.

Come and enjoy a beautiful 5km walk/run and you will be welcomed by the friendly geese, majestic horses and maybe you will even be lucky and see Lucy, the mongoose and of course, Wilbur and Junior will be there to cheer you on towards the end.

There will be some lucky draws up for grabs and some Grass Roof vouchers, as well as an Appletiser cooler valued at R1500. There are also lovely Wilbur T-shirts on sale at the Grassroof shop.

Tickets will be sold at Grass Roof in the farmstall at R150

To find out more about the East Cape horse Care Unit go to https://echcu.co.za

For more information contact Nicky Charlewood from Grass Roof on 073 382 6607.