23/04/2026
Operation Donkey has been launched in aid of the Centre.
What is Operation Donkey?
Operation Donkey is a special fundraising and therapeutic initiative spearheaded by our Board Chairperson. Bridgette Beetge Magnus. Its goal is to provide sustainable financial support for the Centre.
Below are some the most pertinent questions asked regarding Operation Donkey, with the response from our chairperson
1. Can you tell us about your role at the McClelland Adult Centre and how you became involved in Operation Donkey?
I am currently the Chairperson of the McClelland Centre for Intellectually Impaired Adults, having served on the Committee since 2019. Operation Donkey was inspired by friend, Doctor Carolyn Mason who has a particular fondness for donkeys, and when our Operations Manager, Gus Dreyer sent me a post about two donkeys at the SPCA needing homes, after careful research on how they could offer therapy to our residence, the project became a reality.
2. What inspired the launch of Operation Donkey, and what need was the centre hoping to address through this initiative?
The principle inspiration behind Operation Donkey was to introduce the donkeys into the Centre, as it is well documented that the integration of donkeys to people who have special needs has a therapeutic benefit. Donkeys possess a unique physiological and psychological makeup that aligns perfectly with the needs of intellectually impaired individuals.
Benefits include the calming mirror effect, and when a resident who is feeling anxious or hyperactive stands near a donkey, they often unconsciously begin to mirror the donkeys slow steady breathing and calm demeanour. They bring with them emotional safety, for residents who struggle with social cues, as their predictable, unhurried nature provides a sense of emotional security that sometimes humans cannot.
Tactile interaction with the donkeys also brings relief, and the unique heehaw is distinctive and often brings a sense of joy and humour to residence, encouraging vocalisation and laughter. As a social bridge, they become a neutral topic of conversation. They bring with them gross motor skills: walking the friendly donkey on a lead or helping to brush him which improves balance and co-ordination, and fine motor skills: holding a brush, picking out a carrot or attempting to put on a halter works the smaller muscles in the hands. They also bring responsibility: having a “job” like being the designated water re-filler builds a sense of self-worth and purpose, patience and respect.
A note on “donkey time” – there is a saying in animal therapy “you can’t rush a donkey”. For residents who live in a world where they are often told to hurry up, being near a paddock where the pace is dictated by a donkey is incredibly liberating. It is one of the few places where they can simply be.
Over and above their therapeutic value, they bring much needed awareness of the Centre to the East London community at large.
3. The idea of knitted and crocheted donkeys is both creative and symbolic — how did this concept come about?
Donkeys are a profound emblem of humility, peace and divine wisdom. Everyone loves a crocheted or knitted toy and the project was seen as not only a project to raise much needed funds for the Centre, but to get the broader East London community’s involvement. Many people in our community are very creative and love to knit and/or crochet, and for them this is a purpose driven project.
4. Can you share more about McBean and McDonald, and the impact these therapy donkeys have had on residents?
McBean arrived at his forever home on the 14th of March 2026, and McDonald followed two weeks later from Stutterheim, when we realised McBean needed a friend. They are both gelded males, and approximately 5 years old. The residents and staff are enamoured with them, with one or two residents not wanting to go home at weekends so they can stay and watch the donkeys.
5. Beyond fundraising, what does Operation Donkey mean for the centre’s community and the people it serves?
Operation Donkey adds value and joy to our Centre, more specifically the residents.
6. What has the response been like so far from the public? Have there been any particularly touching contributions or stories?
The response from the public has thus far been overwhelming, with various knitting and crochet groups as well as residents of Old Age Homes volunteering to assist with our donkey creations. We even have some knitted creations arriving from Schwizer-Reneke, Hermanus, England and Cincinnati. Each donkey will be sold with a personalized Donation Certificate and a little badge with McClelland’s name on it as well as Operation Donkey. We are partnering with Nathan Sanan, the renowned local Muralist who will be creating a donkey art mural next to the paddock. Craig Banks of Craig Banks Art has donated an A5 mural of the boys to the Centre, which was recently won in a raffle by one of our supporters who is donating it back to the Centre and which will be hung up in our hall. Tracy Henderson of Meridian Wines is facilitating a wine tasting to raise funds for the Centre, and will be presenting Donkiesbaai Wines.
7. For those who may want to get involved but don’t have the necessary materials, what support is available to them?
Sew-Cro-Knit, a craft shop in Gonubie has offered us a discounted rate for wool, and we have thus far been able to purchase wool, stuffing and eyes for approximately 25 crafters who were in need of materials.
8. How will the funds raised through this initiative be used to support the centre and its programmes?
The funds generated will be utilized for the operational needs of the residents and the Centre, to purchase much needed equipment, facilitation tools, and hopefully will extend to sponsoring an excursion for the residents.
9. What are some of the biggest challenges currently facing the McClelland Adult Centre?
Our largest challenge relates to funding. As with all non-profit organisations, we are unable to survive on Social Development fundings and fees alone, as a large percentage of our residents are indigent, and we employ approximately 1 carer or staff member per resident.
10. In your view, why is it important for communities to support organisations that work with intellectually impaired adults?
Because along with orphaned children and animals, intellectually impaired adults are extremely vulnerable, and often overlooked when it comes to a social responsibility spend. Fortunately we have regular supporters such as various local Rotary Clubs.
11. How can individuals, organisations, or businesses partner with or support Operation Donkey beyond knitting and crocheting?
The easiest way to ensuring our Centre’s survival is for regular financial contributions which entitles the Donee to a Section 18A Donations Tax Certificate which can be set off against income tax liability. If we were able to get monthly donations of R5 000.00 from 20 Companies, we would no longer have a financial deficit. Donations of wool would also be greatly appreciated, as well as carrots, apples, pears, lucerne and hay for the boys.
12. What message would you like to share with the community about the importance of initiatives like this?
Supporting an NPO like McClelland, or any of the other deserving NPO’s in East London adds to the sense of community and adds a sense of purpose to our lives.
13. Looking ahead, are there plans to expand Operation Donkey or introduce similar initiatives in the future?
Operation Donkey is expected to be an ongoing project, and there are hopes to expand the paddock and introduce other species such as runner ducks and other animals which have a therapeutic benefit to our residents.
Bridgette Beetge-Magnus
Carolyn Mason
Willem Bantjes
Rotary Club of Bonza Bay, South Africa
Sew- Cro- Knit
