Miniature Shetland pony delivers supplies to vulnerable people self-isolating due to coronavirus

SAM March 24, 2020

Meet Little Alf, the miniature Shetland pony spreading cheer to people cooped up at home in Leyton, Yorkshire.

Little Alf, who stands at just 28 inches tall, has joined his owner Hannah Russell, 23, in delivering supplies to vulnerable people who are unable to leave the house during the coronavirus UK lockdown.

The adorable pony has become a local celebrity, having racked up thousands of followers on Instagram since he was adopted by entrepreneur Hannah back in 2012.

Since the self-isolation guidance came into effect, Little Alf has taken on the important responsibility of delivering fresh eggs free of charge to people who cannot access shops themselves,

Each day Hannah, who runs a furniture and gift shop in the town, has taken Alf around the village to help keep the spirits up of isolated people.

Hannah Russell with her adorable miniature Shetland pony Little Alf who has has been spreading joy in his home village by delivering supplies to vulnerable people forced to self-isolate due to coronavirus. See SWNS story SWLEpony; Little Alf, who stands at just 28 inches tall, has joined his owner Hannah Russell, 23, in delivering eggs to elderly residents in the town where he has become a local celebrity. The pint-sized pony became a global internet sensation when he was adopted by entrepreneur Hannah in 2012 and she shared his incredible story on social media. Alf, whose ears are around 3cm big and hooves only slightly bigger than a ?2 coin, has amassed 14,000 social media followers after fans went wild for his adorable exploits. And this week, he has been brightening people's days for the past week in Leyburn, North Yorks., since residents began to self-isolate. Hannah, who runs a furniture and gift shop in the town, has been delivering boxes of fresh eggs free of charge to people she knew could not access shops themselves.
Little Alf, who stands at just 28 inches tall, has joined his owner Hannah Russell, 23, in delivering eggs to elderly residents (Picture: Hannah Russell / SWNS)

Hannah said: ‘With everything that’s going on with coronavirus and people being forced to stay at home, I thought they could do with cheering up.

‘I thought, “what can I do in my village to help people out who are on lockdown?”

“There aren’t many big shops in the Yorkshire Dales and the ones we have the panic buyers have wiped them out.

‘A local farmer has made boxes of fresh eggs but didn’t have any way of delivering them to people.

‘So I started taking them out to people and took Alf with me so he could spread joy on our rounds.

Hannah Russell with her adorable miniature Shetland pony Little Alf who has has been spreading joy in his home village by delivering supplies to vulnerable people forced to self-isolate due to coronavirus. See SWNS story SWLEpony; Little Alf, who stands at just 28 inches tall, has joined his owner Hannah Russell, 23, in delivering eggs to elderly residents in the town where he has become a local celebrity. The pint-sized pony became a global internet sensation when he was adopted by entrepreneur Hannah in 2012 and she shared his incredible story on social media. Alf, whose ears are around 3cm big and hooves only slightly bigger than a ?2 coin, has amassed 14,000 social media followers after fans went wild for his adorable exploits. And this week, he has been brightening people's days for the past week in Leyburn, North Yorks., since residents began to self-isolate. Hannah, who runs a furniture and gift shop in the town, has been delivering boxes of fresh eggs free of charge to people she knew could not access shops themselves.
Eight-year-old Alf has become a local celebrity (Picture: Hannah Russell / SWNS)

Alf has a legion of online fans worldwide who have been following his progress, but it is his local community who have benefitted the most from his cute little face.

Hannah adds: ‘People love him, he just brightens everyone’s day.

‘I drop the eggs off at people’s doors and leave them for the people to collect.

‘But everyone loves seeing him and people come to their windows. It’s nice for people to see him to spread a bit of happiness.

‘Making people happy is what I’m all about.’

Adorable miniature Shetland pony Little Alf who has has been spreading joy in his home village by delivering supplies to vulnerable people forced to self-isolate due to coronavirus. See SWNS story SWLEpony; Little Alf, who stands at just 28 inches tall, has joined his owner Hannah Russell, 23, in delivering eggs to elderly residents in the town where he has become a local celebrity. The pint-sized pony became a global internet sensation when he was adopted by entrepreneur Hannah in 2012 and she shared his incredible story on social media. Alf, whose ears are around 3cm big and hooves only slightly bigger than a ?2 coin, has amassed 14,000 social media followers after fans went wild for his adorable exploits. And this week, he has been brightening people's days for the past week in Leyburn, North Yorks., since residents began to self-isolate. Hannah, who runs a furniture and gift shop in the town, has been delivering boxes of fresh eggs free of charge to people she knew could not access shops themselves.
Hannah adopted Little Alf when she was just 16, taking him in without asking her parents’ permission (Picture: Hannah Russell / SWNS)

Hannah hopes to expand Little Alf’s tour to neighbouring villages, and to start adding Cadbury’s Creme Eggs in her basket so people can have a treat as well as the essentials.

She also hopes to start creating full care packages to be delivered to vulnerable residents.

‘I have only been delivering to people I know in the village who are elderly and need a bit of support,’ says Hannah.

‘But we are looking at putting 216 care packages together for next week and hopefully double the week after.’

Animal lover Hannah adopted Alf in 2012 after he faced the chop from a breeder because of his unusually tiny size.

Hannah Russell with her adorable miniature Shetland pony Little Alf who has has been spreading joy in his home village by delivering supplies to vulnerable people forced to self-isolate due to coronavirus. See SWNS story SWLEpony; Little Alf, who stands at just 28 inches tall, has joined his owner Hannah Russell, 23, in delivering eggs to elderly residents in the town where he has become a local celebrity. The pint-sized pony became a global internet sensation when he was adopted by entrepreneur Hannah in 2012 and she shared his incredible story on social media. Alf, whose ears are around 3cm big and hooves only slightly bigger than a ?2 coin, has amassed 14,000 social media followers after fans went wild for his adorable exploits. And this week, he has been brightening people's days for the past week in Leyburn, North Yorks., since residents began to self-isolate. Hannah, who runs a furniture and gift shop in the town, has been delivering boxes of fresh eggs free of charge to people she knew could not access shops themselves.
Hannah wants to expand Little Alf’s tour to neighbouring villages (Picture: Hannah Russell / SWNS)

Without asking her parents’ permission, Hannah brought Alf home from the breeder’s yard and hid him in a stable overnight when she was just 16.

Hannah dropped out of college soon after when she suffered debilitating injuries in a kayaking accident.

She struggled mentally and said that Alf, who was only seven months old at the time, provided her with something to focus on.

Now eight-years-old, Alf has inspired eight children’s books, as well as having his own shop, magazine, YouTube channel and clothing range.

Hannah said: ‘When he came into my life, I never thought any of this would happen. I was going to be a sports instructor and that was it.

Hannah Russell with her adorable miniature Shetland pony Little Alf who has has been spreading joy in his home village by delivering supplies to vulnerable people forced to self-isolate due to coronavirus. See SWNS story SWLEpony; Little Alf, who stands at just 28 inches tall, has joined his owner Hannah Russell, 23, in delivering eggs to elderly residents in the town where he has become a local celebrity. The pint-sized pony became a global internet sensation when he was adopted by entrepreneur Hannah in 2012 and she shared his incredible story on social media. Alf, whose ears are around 3cm big and hooves only slightly bigger than a ?2 coin, has amassed 14,000 social media followers after fans went wild for his adorable exploits. And this week, he has been brightening people's days for the past week in Leyburn, North Yorks., since residents began to self-isolate. Hannah, who runs a furniture and gift shop in the town, has been delivering boxes of fresh eggs free of charge to people she knew could not access shops themselves.
‘I saved him and he saved me,’ says Hannah (Picture: Hannah Russell / SWNS)

‘I was feeling quite down because I was watching all of my friends go away to college and having fun while I was stuck at home because of my back.

‘I saved him and he saved me. He changed my life totally.

‘Everything I’ve done since then, my books, my shops, my businesses, are all down to Alf.

‘He came to live with me at a point in my life when I needed something to focus on.’

Do you have a positive story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

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