VETERAN donkeys Sally and Dotty will welcome children to their old paddock when Acorns' new hospice for the three counties opens in 2004.

They belong to Acorns benefactor June Sayce, who has given the land, worth £1.4million, to the charity on the wishes of her late husband.

The 76-year-old former donkey breeder and her husband Willie had treasured their outdoor life together and the valuable plot of land that was much sought after by developers.

With no family of their own they jumped at the chance to offer it to Acorns. "We often saw sick children on TV and Willie would remark how awful it must be for their parents. We had been approached many times by developers wanting our land for housing but Willie was adamant - no houses.

"Willie said to me one day after we had signed the land over to Acorns, 'June I know what I want, and if I die tomorrow I know everything is in order'," said June. Her husband died later that day.

Acorns' chief executive, John Overton, said: "We had been looking for a site for some time and the Sayces' generous offer meant everything just fell into place."

The donkeys are now enjoying life in a paddock and brand new stables next to the site and will be very much part of plans for the new hospice.