The Donkey Sanctuary has donated 3,000 packs of small chocolate Easter Eggs to the Sid Valley Food Bank in Sidmouth.

The donated eggs will now be given to patients and staff at Sidmouth Hospital, local families who are supported by the Food Bank and key workers throughout the community.

Due to The Donkey Sanctuary Sidmouth being closed to visitors because of the coronaviruses outbreak, the animal welfare charity was left with thousands of eggs that would have been given away to visitors over the Easter weekend.

Not wanting to let them go to waste, the charity partnered with Sid Valley Food Bank, a local organisation in Sidmouth who distribute food and items to those most in need.

Ben Winnard, Retail Manager, The Donkey Sanctuary said: "We are delighted to be able to support the Sid Valley Food Bank during this challenging period, they do a superb job supporting the vulnerable and isolated in our community, and we hope these chocolate eggs give people a nice treat over the Easter period."

Sid Valley Food Bank Co-ordinator, Andie Milne, said: "The Donkey Sanctuary's donation of Easter eggs will be distributed to families we support, key workers throughout our community and they will also be added to Easter goodies all ready to be donated to Sidmouth Hospital at Easter.

"We are grateful for all the Easter donations we have received, and have been able to distribute items to all our Foodbank clients, as well as key worker children and staff at Sidmouth Primary School, and to Twyford House."

Last week, The Donkey Sanctuary also donated a wide selection of vital personal protective equipment (PPE) to local NHS teams and social care providers in the South West.