A donkey is resting its head on a fence post with some red socks on itRedwings
Helen Burchell
Premier League champions Arsenal FC have donated about 40 pairs of their socks to donkeys to help protect their legs from infection during the summer.
Redwings Horse Sanctuary said the delivery to its home in Caldecott, in Norfolk, was "one of the more unusual donations" it had been offered over the years.
"But professional football socks, which these days are often footless by design, can be invaluable – they're a game changer you might say," said Nicola Knight, from the sanctuary.
"Only the best for our donkeys."
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Jenny Herod, from the charity, said the club got in touch on their own accord.
"In the summer, flies take a fancy to our donkeys' legs and can cause a lot of pain and scabs," she said.
"The socks help to protect them and keep them healthy."
Knight said the garments had also been used to hold vet bandages in place, to protect them from headcollar rubs and to hold back hair on their legs while they got their feet trimmed.
She also speculated that men's forward Kai Havertz may have had a hand in the initiative, as he had "rescued donkeys in the past".
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