A Windreach Recreational Village volunteer raised $3,000 for his favourite petting zoo friends by forgoing birthday presents this year.

"My sister and I raised the money together," Mr. Ray told The Royal Gazette. "We had a big surprise party for my birthday. It was my second surprise party, and this is also my second time making the donation. The last time I did it, my father (William (Cheese) Ray) was here then. That was in 2003."

Windreach is a facility that exists to enrich the quality of life for people with special needs.

Mr. Ray, who has Downs Syndrome, has been volunteering at Windreach since it opened in 1996.

"I keep the place going," Mr. Ray said. He comes everyday and particularly likes helping out with Eeyore the Donkey, and Tilly the Shetland Pony.

"I play with Eeyore and take care of him," said Mr. Ray. "Sometimes I play CDs for him. He likes anything. I have a donkey at home that is the same as he is. His name is Smokey. I have a lot of fun with him. Sometimes Eeyore is naughty and escapes, but I can handle him. He recognises me when I come."

Mr. Ray has taken responsibility for the stables and paddocks at Windreach and Eeyore and Tilly have become his special charges.

To raise the money, Mr. Ray's sister, Donna Pink, held a surprise party for Mr. Ray that was attended by 120 people who all made donations to Windreach.

"It was all golf-themed," said Mrs. Pink, "because Paulie really likes to play golf. All the people from Windreach came. There were also friends of my late father, and people who have known him since he was born. It was like a wedding."

According to staff at Windreach, Mr. Ray's knowledge of horses and his commitment to his work has made him an indispensable and greatly appreciated member of the Windreach Recreational Village team.

"Paul is an incredible, caring individual who has the ability to see situations in a different light from the average person," said Lance Furbert, executive director at Windreach. "The love and support he has received from his family has given him a unique ability to empathise with others.

"He has taught us all to take the time to consider the other person's point of view and to make the effort to understand each individual's needs. Paul also has a mischievous streak and a wicked sense of humour which often shows while he is working making him a very pleasant working partner. I have learned a great deal from Paul as I am sure we all have. He has helped Windreach in fulfilling its mission to enrich the quality of life for people with special needs and Windreach is a better place as a result of his involvement."

Jean Flath, activities coordinator at Windreach said Mr. Ray's donation was greatly appreciated, and said Mr. Ray was an important volunteer at Windreach.

"Paul Ray has been a dedicated volunteer at Windreach for as long as the facility has existed," she said. "His stable management skills were fine tuned from a child by his dad who was a well known Bermuda horseman and Paul takes his work at Windreach very seriously.

"Paul is so much a part of the team that when he is on vacation a whole section of our daily routine is missing and the daily mantra is 'When is Paul coming back?'. The staff and the animals all celebrate when Paul returns to his duties. We appreciate his gift of time and money but Paul's true gift is showing us all how to slow down and notice all the beautiful moments in each day."