PONIES paid a visit to Yeadon Westfield Infant School thanks to a donation from a local estate agent.

Manning Stainton gave £150 so that Shetland ponies Sago and Freddie could visit the school from equine rescue centre, Hope Pastures.

The children were treated to a two hour long visit from the two ponies, where they got to interact with them and learn more about how to look after horses.

The estate agent provided the school with the donation via its Schools Support Fund, a £10,000 support scheme it launched in early 2021 to help support schools and pupils affected by months of Covid-related disruption.

Teacher Sarah Sharp said: “On behalf of all our children, I’d like to say a huge thank you to Manning Stainton for making this fantastic experience possible, and to Hope Pastures for bringing the animals into the school.

“We are hugely passionate about providing activities that increase the wellbeing of our children, and this special visit was a really enriching experience. It’s not every day that two ponies arrive in the playground, and the children enjoyed every single minute of their time with them.”

Matthew Pank, manager of Manning Stainton’s Guiseley branch, added: “We’re delighted to see our donations being used to fund such fantastic experiences for school children.

“We set up the schools support scheme to help schools across the region purchase equipment and experiences that will enhance their pupils’ educations, and we’ve seen so many schools like Yeadon Westfield using our donations in really creative and inspiring ways.”