Region to be handed ‘baton’ for relay event for charities
THE YORKSHIRE leg of a nationwide relay to raise money for equine charities starts next month.
More than 9,000 people have so far signed up for the Great Horses for Health Relay, set up by equine enthusiast Sophie Gifford.
Charities including the RDA and Leeds rescue centre Hope Pastures will benefit from the relay which was inspired by Ms Gifford’s Irish Cob Jack and the fundraising efforts of Keighleyborn Captain Sir Tom Moore.
She said: “Jack helped me cope with the mental challenges of the Covid pandemic, and I was inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore to start a community event which would highlight the positive effects equines can have on well-being whilst also raising money for horse welfare.”
The idea for the relay started to form on December 30 last year, when Ms Gifford posted in a Facebook group suggesting a UKwide riding event.
The Great Horses for Health UK Relay Facebook Group was set up on New Year’s Eve and within a week it had 1,000 members.
The relay will cover the whole of the UK over five months, with the Yorkshire leg starting on May 2. Split into 11 regions, participants will be given two weeks to choose their own route in their local area which is then recorded on the relay map.
The ‘baton’ will be passed on to the next participating region at a pre-arranged Covid-safe event.
As well as raising money, which will be split between seven equine welfare and equestrian charities, the relay aims to raise awareness of road safety for horse riders and other vulnerable road users and highlight the positive impact which horses can have on mental health.
Registration for the event, which is being supported by the equine charity, HorseWorld Trust, and is being sponsored by SEIB, Rathbones and Equidance and EquineXceed, is now open. More details can be found online at horses4health.co.uk.