In June 1917 Lady Lawrence was dared to ride a donkey through the streets of Dorking. In return for a pound for Red Cross funds. Lady Lawrence took the bet. Traffic through the town was held up by her progress and the Red Cross fundraising committee extracted donations from the drivers and occupants of stranded cars and buses. More money was made by charging for donkey rides.
The donkey had previously raised £1,000 when auctioned for charity and was later auctioned again with bidding starting at £1. The beast was won by Mrs Greville of Polesden Lacey for £25. Her representative immediately passed it on to the Farmers’ Red Cross Fund for re-auction. Afterwards a picture of Lady Lawrence on the donkey was auctioned.
Iris, Lady Lawrence nee Crabbe (1888-1955), was married to the horticulturalist Sir William Lawrence of Burford Lodge.
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