Charity of the month: SPANA

This December, we’re getting to know the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad, which is asking knitters to get sponsored for making one of Val Pierce’s three adorable animals.

SPANA, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, works with animals all over the world. Many communities depend on working animals for things like drinking water, farming and transport. However, conditions can often be quite harsh, with many animals working in high temperatures without sufficient food or access to veterinary care.

The Big Knit for Vet Kit fundraiser aims to help raise £20 in sponsorship money for each handmade animal; that’s enough for four weeks of nutritious food for a donkey, or two sets of sterilised bandages for an injured animal. Choose between knitting Hattie the Horse and Duncan the Donkey – or if you prefer crochet, you can still get involved with Clarence the Camel!

Since the campaign launched, over 2,700 fundraising packs have been requested, and the charity is still hoping for more. Each contains patterns for all three animals, a sponsorship form and a donation envelope. You can order your pack online here or call 020 7831 3999.

Even model and designer Twiggy has voiced her support for the campaign, saying, “I know everyone will have so much fun knitting their very own gorgeous camels, horses and donkeys, with the money raised helping SPANA treat a real working animal in one of their clinics in Africa or the Middle East.

“It’s a privilege to be supporting this campaign as SPANA continues to work tirelessly in some of the world’s poorest countries, ensuring working animals are well looked after and given the care they deserve.”

Abdelhak and Mensi

We were touched to hear the story of 12-year-old Abdelhak, who spotted a sick donkey foal abandoned at his local souk in Morocco. Thankfully, he knew exactly what to do, as he had recently visited the nearby SPANA centre as part of their education programme.

He carefully put the foal, which he named Mensi (meaning ‘forgotten’), into his cart and pulled him two kilometres to the SPANA centre. There, vets were able to diagnose a severe digestive problem and operated immediately. Mensi recovered and now lives with Abdelhak.

Abdelhak said: “I knew there were people that take care of working animals from visiting SPANA with my old school. Thank you for helping Mensi and me. I hope that once my donkey is grown, he will be a great help to support my family and one day my brothers will be able to go back to school.”