A new weekly lottery to help donkeys in need in the UK and worldwide has been launched by the Sidmouth-based charity - The Donkey Sanctuary.

The Donkey Sanctuary Lottery runs every Friday with a jackpot of £1,000 each week and a further 32 cash prizes.

First prize is £1,000, second prize £250, third prize is £100 and there are 30 prizes for £5. Tickets are £1 a week.

The organisation uses its funds to care for its 7,000 resident donkeys and mules in the UK and Europe.

The charity also runs a donkey-facilitated learning programme that helps vulnerable children and adults develop life skills, by connecting with donkeys on an emotional and physical level.

Internationally, The Donkey Sanctuary operates programmes for donkeys and mules working in agriculture, industry and transportation.

500 million people worldwide still rely on working donkeys as a lifeline to support their livelihoods.

The lottery will help donkeys like Lottie and Lola, who were found struggling to walk because of their severely overgrown and painful hooves.

They were living in a muddy field with little access to a shelter, leaving them to hide behind a hedge to escape the wind and rain.

Thanks to The Donkey Sanctuary's intervention, Lottie and Lola are now safe in the charity's care, following their rescue.

The pair are now are receiving expert care of a vet and farrier, who have begun remedial treatment on their seriously overgrown hooves.

They will now have a loving home for life, but there are still many more donkeys in desperate need of help.

Lisa McCormack, head of fundraising at The Donkey Sanctuary said: "As a charity that relies solely on donations, we fundraise in as many different ways as possible. Playing our new lottery is one way supporters can make a real difference to the lives of donkeys like Lottie and Lola, and possibly win some money for themselves too!

"The funds raised from The Donkey Sanctuary Lottery will go towards our work here in the UK and worldwide too."

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The Donkey Sanctuary Lottery is regulated by The Gambling Commission to ensure it is conducted fairly, openly and transparently.