Mansfield woman's heart-warming bid to feed animals at popular charity farm

A Mansfield Woodhouse woman has launched a campaign to help feed the animals at a charitable farm which provides therapy for people with autism.
By Tim Cunningham
Published 30th Apr 2020, 17:05 BST
Updated 30th Apr 2020, 18:23 BST

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Anna Davis (centre) presents voluteers at Willow Tree Family Farm with some of the goods she has collected from generous Mansfield Woodhouse folk.Anna Davis (centre) presents voluteers at Willow Tree Family Farm with some of the goods she has collected from generous Mansfield Woodhouse folk.
Anna Davis (centre) presents voluteers at Willow Tree Family Farm with some of the goods she has collected from generous Mansfield Woodhouse folk.

Anna Davis said she was touched by reading about the uncertain financial future faced by Willow Tree Family Farm in your Chad and decided to take action.

The Manor Academy dinner lady approached the school, her bosses at a cleaning company and Morrisons for donations, and also made a promotional video for Facebook which has touched many hearts.

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Speaking to the Chad, modest Anna said: "I’m overwhelmed by their generosity and support.

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"I know I won’t make the front page – or in fact any page - but I’m really proud of my community in Mansfield Woodhouse."

So far the supermarket has donated fruit and veg, and they have taken Anna's phone number for future deliveries.

She has received donations from the Beacon Project and members of the public have been dropping off rabbit and guinea pig food.

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Anna, 37, of Farm Croft Road, said her son Alex, now 14, “used to go to Willow Tree Farm when he was smaller and it’s been close to us ever since.”

“I just wanted to help and keep the animals going,” she said.

Earlier this week we highlighted the impact of the lockdown on the Shirebrook farm, which provides a community cafe and animal therapy for adults and children with autism.

The five-acre farm on Langwith Road, which opened in 2003, had to close its gates to the public last month, and they have no idea when they will be able to reopen.

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Managing director David Taylor said: “We are a self-sustaining organisation solely dependent on visitors’ donations.

“Our basic animal feed bill is £1,105 and bedding is £350 a month.

“The charity has a very uncertain future as we are unaware of when we will be able to reopen and when visitors will be able to return.”

The farm has already received some fantastic donations, but says this needs to continue until restrictions are lifted.

You can donate through these links:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/252GC42607IT9

https://www.paypal.me/willowtreefamilyfarm

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/willowtreefamilyfarm

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