On Monday the 3rd of August Jasper, Enoch and Polo the Donkeys made the journey to Carmarthenshire in readiness to begin a Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition the following day. Unfortunately the rain was heavy and they happily snuggled into the generously straw filled barn kindly provided by the farm/campsite we were based  near Lampeter.
 
The donkeys and young people had already completed practice walks, and the young people had learnt to tack up the pack saddles, map read, put up tents, cook a meal on a camp stove and gained knowledge and experience of the  countryside code, first aid and how to tend to their animals along the journey.
 
Tuesday 4th August the heavens opened and none of our three donkeys wanted to leave the comforts of the barn. So with sun predicted the following day the young people left the donkeys safe in the barn and carried their own rucksacks on the six mile circular walk.
 
By the evening the rain had eased and donkeys and young people relaxed in the field.
 
Wed 5th August brought lovely sunshine and the donkeys were raring to go. Packed up in their new pack saddles Jasper and Polo easily carried rucksacks, while Enoch had throw over panniers containing lunches and first aid equipment. What Enoch lacks in stature and strength he gains in personality and encouragement.
 
Young people and donkeys made their way through some stunning forest tracks of Abergorlech. Lunch was taken by a lovely river and all three donkeys used their time off not to graze but to try and mug everyone's packed lunch!Nine miles later the end was in sight. 
 
A spokesperson for the Amelia Trust Farm said: "Some people may wonder why include donkeys in this expedition? As far as I am aware we are the first UK DofE group to trek with donkeys. Our donkeys work with young people as part of an animal assisted therapy programme.

For a young person with difficulties in their lives, walking 15 miles may not seem a very motivating thing to do, but add into this the chance to take their new long eared friend along too and it becomes more appealing.

The focus of the journey now requires them to care for their companions before themselves. Each young person spent six months prior to the expedition learning how to care for the donkeys and making very special friendships.

The donkeys thoroughly enjoyed themselves too. Well done to the young people completing their Bronze Award, and its just the first of many we hope for our very special DofE Donkeys."