In six weeks time I'll be running the Lincoln Half Marathon, aiming to raise £500 for Hope Meadows' winter horse care bills so that we can keep our low-cost sessions affordable.

2 years ago I ran the Lincoln 10k as part of a Hope Meadows fundraiser. It surpassed all our expectations - both in the total raised and the fact I actually made it round! Since then, I've kept up running 10k races, but I've never dared go farther than that.

So at 21km, the half marathon feels like a pretty big challenge!

Why am I doing this?

At Hope Meadows, our horses are an essential part of our organisation. Every week, they're present alongside our clients in equine assisted psychotherapy sessions, helping people process trauma, anxiety, and life's hardest moments in a way that talking alone often can't reach.

But horses cost a lot of money to keep well, especially through winter where bills for feed, bedding, farriery and veterinary care all increase.

Rising costs mean those increases fall hardest on our lowest-cost sessions, which are the ones we run to keep this work accessible to people who couldn't otherwise afford it. We aim to run 40% of all our therapy sessions for £30 or less.

£500 helps us to keep our horses properly cared for through the coldest months and keeps our low-cost sessions running at an affordable price for the people who need them most.

Where your money goes:

Feed & bedding to keep our herd warm, healthy, and ready to work

Farriery & vet care for winter check-ups and hoof care

Ultimately, continuing to run 40% of our sessions low cost, so a tight winter budget doesn't mean turning people away.

Every pound helps - whether it's £5 or £50, your donation goes straight to the horses who show up for our clients every single week.

Thank you for being part of this!