Phoebe’s hacks raise hundreds for horses

NINE-YEAR-OLD Phoebe Sykes from Brockholes raised £370 by taking on Brooke’s #MyHackathon challenge with her Shetland pony Molly.

Together they rode 100 miles in 100 days to raise £100 for equine welfare charity, Brooke, to help improve the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules in developing countries.

Phoebe, who started riding aged two, smashed her original fundraising target and has been working hard to fit in her rides around her school work and other hobbies.

Her mum Cathy, who accompanied her on the rides, said: “Phoebe has always liked to raise money for charity… when she saw an advert for the Brooke charity she wanted to help.”

#MyHackathon is part of Brooke’s How The Other Horse Lives campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the needs of working equines in developing countries.

It shows what they endure on a daily basis compared to well-kept horses here in the UK.

Cathy added: “We thought the Shop manager Becky Hesling (left) and shop assistant Yolande Sykes smile as Town legend Andy Booth tucks into a sandwich at Jakeys Sandwich Shop in Holmfirth challenge would be simple as we hack together a lot, however, with spending most weekends over the summer competing and fighting the British weather, fitting the miles in has been a challenge.

“We’ve been caught out in the dusk, fog and had some early starts before school to finish.”

Phoebe’s sidekick, Molly the pony, was rescued from a garden when she was a foal.

Cathy bought her to keep their other horse company. However, Phoebe and Molly’s bond soon grew and they began competing together with #MyHackathon their latest challenge.

She said: “Both Phoebe and I have enjoyed the Hackathon; we have explored some new routes around home and further afield and would definitely recommend it to others.”

Brooke is an international charity that improves the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules which give people in the developing world the opportunity to work their way out of poverty.

To sponsor Phoebe visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/catherinephoebe

To find out more about Brooke and #MyHackathon visit www.thebrooke.org/theotherhorse.