FUNDRAISER Michael Bickell's 12th annual sponsored horse ride culminated in a cheque presentation with Horse Guards in the capital. Michael and riders spent nine days on the 250-mile trek from Lifton to London — they set off on June 14 — and raised £1,000 for two charities. The money was split between SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) and Help for Heroes, which provides support for wounded servicemen and women. On arrival in London, the riders were escorted by members of the Metropolitan mounted police from Kensington Gardens, through Hyde Park, along Constitution Hill to Buckingham Palace, then down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade. Afterwards they met West Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox at the Houses of Parliament. Michael and local hunt supporters Deborah and Harriet Kivell and Amanda Denny passed through towns such as Honiton, Shaftesbury, Salisbury, Winchester, Kingston and Richmond and hunts en route. Over the last 12 years Michael has raised in the region of £50,000, which has been shared between many well known charities, from the Children's Hospice South West to Cancer Research and the Devon Air Ambulance. Michael said he was very grateful to the many people who provided accommodation and pitstops and all the people who sponsored the riders.