Well, I am going on my trek to Iceland in on 14 August. I have been overwhelmed with the generosity and support from friends, colleagues and people I have met whilst fund raising for the Brooke. Nearly reached my target of £3,000.

We'll trek across the lava fields of Western Iceland covering up to 40 Kms each day and are taking a herd of around 60 free running Icelandic horses with us.

The Brooke help people in the poorest countries who depend on their horses and donkeys for their day to day lives. By bearing loads in quarries to carry stone to build roads, fetching water, carrying goods and crops to markets, around 3 million people in developing countries rely on equines. The Brooke trains local people to assist mobile vets and trains young men to be farriers and saddlers. Local women trained by the Brooke teach children who often look after the equines. It's all part of promoting family welfare, health and education in places such as Ethiopia and Afghanistan.

I've done all sorts of things to raise money. An Easter egg trail in the pouring rain, but gazebo held out well. Little kids and teenage lads all came. Mel hid eggs and snakes in the woods and all whilst she had day old lambs to hand feed. Mags and Lou made cakes and Mike put up signs and was the Gazebo man.

Raffle and quiz night at work was a great event with Claire as quiz mistress.

Table top sale on Easter Saturday with Kate's help.  This fund raising lark is really good fun.

Manure been selling steadily at a £1 a bag - pick your own of course. Breeze helping to keep the production line running so no fear that we will run out.......see photo left!

Plenty of car boot sales with help from Sal and Dave. Met some great people at Clitheroe who donated to the Brooke even if they didn't buy. Special thanks to the Gypsy gentleman from Accrington with the lovely blue eyes and kind words of horse wisdom. Thanks for your donation.

I have met an amazing lady in Doveridge whose husband was an army officer and equine vet in Egypt in the second world was and he supported the Brooke all his life. He sadly passed away this year and left a legacy to the Brooke. He didn't lose a single mule in four years of hard work in the desert thanks to good animal husbandry and training his helpers and troops about equine welfare.