By Stephanie Silom

IT’S a Christmas miracle as the star of the RSPCA’s heart-warming festive film has been given her very own fairy-tale ending.

As reported, the Shetland pony named Tink was rescued by the RSPCA in March this year after being discovered abandoned and up to her tummy in a muddy, wet field in Dorset with no food and nowhere comfortable to rest.

Tink stars as the lonely pony who dreams of being a reindeer in the RSPCA’s Christmas video for their festive appeal, Stock the Sleigh for the RSPCA, and has now landed another starring role – as a children’s therapy pony.

After the video racked up more than 190,000 online views, Tink became an overnight sensation. She was spotted by the Staunton Country Park team, who knew that they could offer Tink the perfect home for her to thrive and meet her fans.

Lisa Clark, education officer at Staunton Country Park, based in Havant, Hampshire said: “Tink will spend this Christmas settling in properly to her new home and in the New Year, we’ll start introducing her slowly to learning to become a therapy pony.”

Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage, Councillor Sean Woodward, said: “[Tink] will be a much-loved addition to the park’s farm attraction – also making a wonderful difference as a therapy pony, especially to our younger and older visitors.

“It’s great to see her already settling in with our other new arrival, Pudding the pony, and bonding with existing ponies, Tilly and Yarrow. It seems fitting that Tink has arrived at her new home in time for Christmas.”

Patricia Spargo, manager at RSPCA Lockwood Equine Centre where Tink was cared for said: “It’s lovely to think that Tink’s role in the video helping other rescue animals at Christmas time paved the way for her new life at the park working with children. Tink is a sociable pony who will enjoy life in the bustling park atmosphere, we are so happy she has found a home.”

The RSPCA expects more than 10,000 vulnerable animals, like Tink, to be taken in by the RSPCA over the winter months. RSPCA inspectors, welfare officers and centre staff work 365 days a year to care for animals in need, and Christmas is no exception.

To help Stock the Sleigh for the RSPCA, enabling them to deliver vital supplies to abused, neglected and abandoned animals this Christmas, visit https://www.rspca.org.uk/winterappeal/sleigh.