Hi and thank you for coming to check out my JustGiving page!

 

On the 22nd September 2010 I will be embarking on an 11 day horseback trek across the Rajasthan region of India, to raise awareness and funds for The British Horse Society. I have started to keep a blog of my fundraising and progress, and will continue through summer to keep you updated on what I’m getting up to, so feel free to check how it’s going on at:  http://jess-bhs-ride.blogspot.com.

I’ve also got a group on facebook, so please join and invite your friends:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=118320601516085

The Charity - As a charitable organisation, the British Horse Society relies on its members, money raised by their supporters and the kind donations of the public in order to undertake its essential work with horses, including the important work of the welfare department in helping ill-treated horses, ponies and donkeys. Although there are a huge number of happy, healthy equines out there, there are far too many who suffer, the BHS provide a huge support network for these horses and rely on funding in order to continue their great work.

 

The BHS do not have the resources to run community fundraising events, and therefore rely on the work of local volunteers that are able to organise these. Throughout the summer I will be holding various fundraising events including quiz nights, raffles, car boot sales, biscuit eating competitions, sponsored silences and walks etc.

The money I raise will be ring-fenced to be spent on the Society’s welfare work, for projects such as funding their network of more than 180 voluntary welfare officers who respond to around 30,000 reports of poor equine welfare throughout the UK each year. It will also be spent on campaigns to improve the lives of British horses – for example, by working with the Animal Health Trust to combat the awful disease Strangles by raising money for a safe and effective vaccine against this potentially fatal condition. There is also important ongoing work to change the law to protect horses and riders and to educate those who don’t know how to keep their horses in a fair state.

The Trek – The trek lasts for 11 days, taking place from 22 September - 2 October. Myself and the rest of the small group of fundraisers will be riding Marwari horses across the Shekhawati semi-desert region in northern Rajasthan, in the triangle formed by Delhi, Bikaner and Jaipur. Check out the photos of Marwari horses which I’ve uploaded, have a look at their distinctive ears which naturally curve inwards, and even overlap when they’re forwards. We will be escorted by the local grooms and horsemen and will witness the true India away from the tourist routes, camping at night and spending time with locals and tasting authentic Indian cuisine!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the BHS and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the BHS.

 

I will be donating at least enough to cover the costs of the trip myself, so you can rest assured that your donations will go directly to the work of the BHS welfare department. Thanks in advance from myself and the horses!

 

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