BHS Teams up with New Fundraising Initiative
4th May 2011Audacious one-off equestrian challenge to capture imagination of horse lovers
Britain’s largest equestrian association, The British Horse Society, is to be the official partners of an ambitious fundraising initiative that raises money for British servicemen and women. Horses Help Heroes, is seeking to raise more than £1 million by driving a replica WWI horse-drawn ambulance the length of Britain in just ten days this summer.
Graham Cory, Chief Executive of the BHS commented: “As the official partner of Horses Help Heroes we shall be encouraging our members and supporters to hold fundraising events at locations up and down the country in the lead up to the challenge in June. We are even going to offer some of the top fundraisers to ride on the ambulance or accompany it as an outrider whilst the challenge is taking place.”
Cory continued: “This challenge is a real test of both human and equestrian endurance. The combination of man and horse is centuries old and is very much a part of English military heritage. This should be acknowledged and celebrated. We are proud to be a part of such a worthy cause, and do our bit on behalf of the equestrian community.”
The challenge, a non-stop 1000 mile drive from Lands End to John O’Groats will take in some of the great towns and equestrian hotspots up and down Britain, such as Cheltenham Racecourse and Aintree. The horse-drawn ambulance will stop at a number of schools, pony clubs and equestrian arenas to enable horse lovers, fundraisers and the larger population alike to participate in the event.
As well as The British Horse Society, a number of high profile supporters have agreed to support this cause from both the military and equestrian world. Nicky Henderson and Mike Tucker are but a couple of famous names.
HRH Prince William said: “The Horses Help Heroes challenge combines in one the great British traits of thirst for adventure, support and compassion for our wounded soldiers, sailors and airmen, and a love of horses – with just the mildest sprinkling of healthy eccentricity… I salute all those involved with Horses Help Heroes for their tireless commitment, energy and originality in their drive toward this vision. I urge everyone to support them, in whatever way they can.”