Anthony Head

London-born actor Anthony Head, well known for his role as Giles in the hit TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is supporting the charity Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land, it emerged today.

Anthony has joined Ann Widdecombe MP as a patron of the UK charity that cares for injured and abandoned donkeys in Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

The charity’s latest adopted donkey has been named Giles to celebrate Anthony’s new role, and the actor’s fans are being invited to help Giles through Anthony’s website.

Wendy Ahl, fundraising manager at Safe Haven, said: "Everyone here is absolutely delighted that Anthony has decided to support us in this way.

"Safe Haven was formed some four years ago by Lucy Fensom as a direct result of the high number of tortured and unwanted donkeys she encountered during her time living in Israel.

"In 2000, she gave up her life in the UK to move to Israel full time and found the only organisation dedicated to improving the lot of these animals, who are still very much in use as beasts of burden. While it is cheap to purchase a donkey - around 25 - veterinary treatment is not affordable for most people, meaning that donkeys too old or sick to work are usually turned out to fend for themselves.

"Sadly, these stray donkeys very often end up being knocked down by cars or even becoming the target of direct abuse. Safe Haven provides a sanctuary for unwanted donkeys, as well as providing a free veterinary outreach service and programmes of education to try and improve the lot of the working donkey."

For further information, visit www.safehaven4donkeys.org. Anthony Head’s official website is www.anthonyhead.org.