Bransby Horses is one of seven equine charities who will benefit from a fundraising relay with horses this summer. Set up during lockdown by horse lover, Sophie Gifford, the relay organised by an army of volunteers, will highlight the positive effects an equine can have on mental health whilst also raising money to make up for income shortfall caused by the COVID-19 pandemic for seven equine charities. The announcement comes ahead of May’s national Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs 10th-16th May.
The UK has been split into 11 regions over five months with participants given two weeks to choose their own route in their local area which is then recorded on the relay map. The relay ‘baton’ will be passed on to the next participating region at a pre-arranged Covid-safe event. Every horse lover is invited to take part whether it be astride, western, side-saddle, as a carriage driver, with long reins, in hand, on foot or even on your bike! The Great Horses for Health Relay starts in Yorkshire on 2nd May and is set to end in Cornwall around the 2nd October.
Relay Organiser, Sophie Gifford, said, “My Irish Cob, Jack, helped me cope with the mental challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and I was inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore to start a community event which would highlight the positive effects an equine can have on your well-being whilst also raising money for horse welfare.”
Charlie McClelland, Fundraising Manager at Bransby Horses said, “Bransby Horses is one of the UK’s largest equine welfare charities. We rely solely on support from the general public to help us continue our mission to improve the lives of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules through our key charity principles: rescue, rehabilitate, rehome and educate.
“COVID-19 has seriously impacted our fundraising capabilities and funds raised from this event are extremely welcome to allow us to continue our work.
“We are grateful to Sophie for her efforts to pull this fantastic event together.”
Sponsors for the event are SEIB, Rathbones, Equidance & EquineXceed, and BETA.
To find out more about The Great Horse for Health Relay and how to register to take part visit www.horses4health.co.uk
For more information please contact Sara.Rutherford@horseworld.org.uk
