Donkeys don old gold Wolves socks to combat flies

The newest recruits modelling for Wolverhampton Wanderers are not what you would expect.

A herd of donkeys, belonging to a charity based just over the border in Staffordshire, have been donning branded Wolves socks in the iconic old gold - thanks to a donation from the football club's charity foundation.

Donkey E.A.R.S is a community interest company in Wheaton Aston, which aims to improve people's wellbeing through donkey assisted activities.

However, the socks are not just for aesthetics - they are to protect the animals from flies.

Director Jo Wightman said she got a call from the Wolves Foundation offering them the spare socks - sized six to eight - because they had heard they could be beneficial for the animals.

"Donkeys get really bothered in summer months by gnawing flies on their legs, so they need them covered," she said.

"It's difficult to get an animal to keep things on, so sport socks are ideal because they stay up.

She said it was helping keep their vet bills down - as they often have to pay for treatment for infected fly bites.

"They look cool and are supporting the local team," Wightman said.

"I didn't realise the foundation work with a lot of the same clientele that we do... it's a nice connection.

"They [the socks] wash well and they have given me a whole box, so we've got spares."

Donkey E.A.R.S works with a variety of people, from people with special educational needs and disabilities; those with dementia; social prescribers and care homes.

The Wolves Foundation do work within the community linked to improving health and wellbeing, community and disability sport, schools and youth engagement.

"The donkeys were very grateful," said Wightman.

"I did try and get them to play a bit of football, but they weren't interested."

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