Hi there.  This is our cousin Emma, pointing out the fishes at Petersham Nurseries in Richmond this summer.  Aside from being four and smiley and chatty and opinionated and clever with computers, she has cerebral palsy.  This means she's a bit floppy in the middle, and needs support staying upright.  She's been getting a bit of that recently from Butty the horse at the Diamond Centre in Surrey, which specialises in Hippotherapy.  The principle is that once Emma is on a horse like Butty, supported by one of the centre's specialist physios and their volunteers, she is getting both a mental and a physical workout.  That workout really helps Emma's development, as the movement of the pony's body matches and intensifies her own.  Perhaps more importantly, she really loves it. It's hard to describe, but you can find out more about The Diamond Centre and Hippotherapy at http://www.diamondcentre.org.uk/hippotherapy.html.

On November 4th, I'm running the New York Marathon to raise funds for this great charity.  At the top end of their 'Wish List' is the purchase of a new, trained horse costing 4,000 pounds.  That is my fundraising goal, but it is important to know that every pound we raise will go towards fencing, feeding, training, and supporting these horses no matter what we raise.  Please donate whatever you can.

Thank you so much -

Al