Stubborn donkey halts 'generosity test' trek

The pair set off on the "Two Men and a Donkey" mission with no money in their wallets and rented animal Fergal in tow, to try and discover if they could get by on the generosity of strangers.

But Fergal managed to walk just the first 70 miles of the trip – in twice the amount of time the brothers had planned – before refusing to go any further.

The Baxters have now had to abandon their trek in Hebden Bridge, seven days into their walk, after raising 983 for The Stroke Association.

Father-of-four Tom Baxter, from Sheffield, said: "What we learned was that British people are very kind and open. We have been humbled by the generosity we encountered. We had a few blisters but we were game to carry on to the end.

"However, by the time we got to Hebden Bridge, Fergal was making it clear that he'd had enough and just stood his ground and we could not budge him."

The brothers then called up a horse box and returned Fergal to his North Wales home.

Mike Baxter, a recruitment consultant who lives in France, added: "We were helped along by all kinds of people, but most of the ones we spoke to were out of work and just looking for something to keep them occupied. We met many young lads who would walk with us for ages, just because they were bored."

The pair now plan to complete their odyssey next year.