THIS little piggy slept soundly after a busy day at the market.

And he was completely unaware his cute antics running around the pen had encouraged people to dig deep in their pockets.

They were doing their bit to help raise funds for struggling local farm Doonies.

All money raised from the sale of a selection of animals at the livestock auction at the Thainstone Centre, Inverurie, was being donated to the Save Doonies campaign.

People came from all over Scotland for the sale and hundreds of pounds was donated to the centre as a result of people’s generosity.

Wendy Gibson from Huntly paid £35 for a black-cross pig.

She said: “It’s such a good cause. I don’t know if I’ll be bidding on anything else, I’m really just waiting to see what catches my eye.”

Campaigners from Friends of Doonies were at the sale, encouraging buyers to make donations.

Chairman John Sleigh put in a few bids himself.

He bought three White Silkies and just missed out on a couple of hens he had his eye on.

He said: “I’ve bought the chickens for my mum – we’ve never had chickens before but my grandmother was a poultry expert so hopefully we’ll get the hang of it.”

John said campaigners would be grateful for any amount raised.

He said: “It can vary at these things – we could raise £200 or we could raise £3,000. It all depends on how buyers are on the day.

“But no matter how much we get we’ll be over the moon because everything counts towards helping save Doonies.”

Farmer Mike Munro paid £55 for a young Jacob ewe. He said he was glad the money would be going to the Doonies fund.

The 26-year-old from Fife said: “I think it’s really great that this money is going to Doonies.

“I’ve not heard much about the campaign because I’m from Fife but it’s a good thing that people are so keen to help.

“The ewe I’ve bought is for my dad’s farm. We’re going to use her for breeding.

“I’m glad to have done my bit.”

A large variety of poultry, including pheasants, chickens, ducks and geese, also raised cash for the campaign, as well as dozens of hatching eggs snapped up by breeders.

Doonies campaigner Laura McGilivray said: “It’s so good to see so many people turn out to support the campaign and make bids which they know will be donated to Doonies.

“Even if we don’t raise thousands, every penny we get will help the cause.”

cbrooks@ajl.co.uk