Donegal's own miracle donkey is will be jumping for joy at his first birthday this Sunday and everyone is welcome to join the party.

Timmy is a well-known resident at the Donegal Donkey Sanctuary who would not be here today if it weren’t for the great care of the owners and the kind donations of the public.

Timmy was born in July 2016 with a deformity which meant his hind legs were bent and twisted, preventing him from standing or feeding normally. In order to help him walk and run, he was fitted with a set of prosthetic shoes which are glued to his tiny hooves using a special adhesive.

Donegal Donkey Sanctuary’s Danny Curran with Timmy (right) and his mum Twilight. (North West Newspix)

Vets advised his kind carers Danny Curran and wife Sandra at the sanctuary in Raphoe that they would be better off putting down Timmy, but they fought to give him a lifeline.

This weekend Timmy will be dancing in his special shoes with his mum Twilight at his big birthday party.

If you’re looking for a fun way to spend this Sunday afternoon, 23rd July, then this promises to be a great day. There will be coffee and cakes for all and a chance to meet the star donkey Timmy.

Everyone who has supported Timmy during his recovery is welcome to come along. The party starts at 11.30am to 4.30pm. Admission is free and there is an opportunity to donate to the sanctuary on the day.

Owner Danny Curran told Donegal Daily how Timmy defied all odds to reach this milestone.

Timmy is almost as tall as his mother now after progressing so well with his intensive care plan.

The little foal was fitted with prosthetic shoes which were glued to his tiny hooves using a special adhesive.

And now, against all the odds, is 95% on the road to recovery as he comes up to his first birthday.

Danny said “We were initially advised to put him to sleep but we never entertained that idea.

“We got him fitted with the prosthetic legs and that gave him a fighting chance but he had a tough winter.

“We put him outside in March and we honestly thought he would not make it outside.

“But he has proven us all wrong and has come on leaps and bounds. Our farrier has told us that he is 95% normal and you couldn’t ask for more than that,” he said.

Timmy having his shoes checked

Now Timmy is enjoying a normal life as he runs around the fields of the sanctuary with his mother Twilight from whom he has never been separated.

Danny estimates that more than €30,000 has been spent keeping Timmy alive and helping him lead a normal life but that most of that work has been done voluntarily.

“Without the good will of our farrier, our physiotherapist, our vet and our volunteers, Timmy would not be here today. It’s that simple.

“He looks brilliant and hopefully he will have a long life now. People come into the sanctuary and look into the field for Timmy but they can’t spot him because he has made such a great recovery,” said Danny.

The Donegal Donkey Sanctuary is a non-profit making operation that helps rehabilitate and rehome distressed and unwanted donkeys. They post regular updates on Timmy and all the other donkeys on their Facebook page and run an adoption programme so people can sponsor the care of the animals.  Click here to donate to Little Timmy’s Care fund.