DONATIONS for a Belbroughton animal sanctuary have flooded in following the death of its big-hearted founder.

Generous animal lovers have been sending in cheques totalling several hundred pounds for the last few weeks since the death of Anthea Frisby who had dedicated her life to taking in needy horses, donkeys and ponies through the sanctuary, known as Animal Sanctuary and Protection.

Friend and sanctuary volunteer Gaye Hadley said she’d been overwhelmed by the kindness from members of the public.

She said: “We’ve had a lovely response. It’s absolutely fantastic. We’ve had about 30 to 40 donations ranging from £5 to £100 each and 99.9 per cent of them have been anonymous, so I can’t even write and thank people.

“Everybody has spoken so beautifully about Anthea and the work she did. It’s absolutely incredible. I’d like to say a big thankyou.”

Mrs Frisby, aged 73, a former horse groom and school dinner lady, passed away on September 23 after a year-long battle with cancer.

Mrs Hadley, the sanctuary’s finance manager, said she and the remaining team of dedicated volunteers aim to continue Anthea’s work – and they will be holding their usual Christmas event Carols on the Green on Sunday, December 15.

The event, which sees some of the sanctuary’s resident donkeys and ponies joining carol singers for a festive candlelit sing song on the village green, off Belbroughton High Street, will take place at 4pm.

Everyone is welcome and mince pies will be available after the half hour service.

Money raised will go towards providing winter feed and bedding for the animals.

A recent £2,500 grant from Belbroughton Scarecrow Festival committee has also given the sanctuary a boost but Mrs Hadley said the money has already been spent on a new field shelter for the animals – many of which are “getting older and need a bit of warmth”.