TWO horsemen from West Devon will take on a seven-day, 210-mile sponsored ride to raise vital funding for local children?s charity CHICKS.
Horse enthusiasts Michael Bickell and George Moyse from the Lamerton Hunt are behind the fundraising event and hope other horse riders will join them for any part of the route.
CHICKS, Country Holidays for Inner City Kids, is funded only by personal donations and run largely by volunteers. The charity helps hundreds of disadvantaged children have a free respite break in the country every year.
Michael Bickell is no stranger to fundraising horse rides ? he completed a gruelling John O?Groats to Land?s End ride in 2002, raising more than £14,500 for Riding for the Disabled, Cancer Research and Meningitis Trust.
He said: ?Devon consists of some beautiful countryside and we have such a good quality of life that we would like to share this with others.
?Raising money for CHICKS will help give disadvantaged children the opportunity to enjoy spending time in such a fantastic natural environment which they would not otherwise get to experience.?
Chicks fundraiser Tracy Izod said: ?We really value Michael?s efforts, and the money raised through the ride will go a long way towards helping us provide disadvantaged children with a well-deserved break in a caring environment.
?This year we aim to provide over 650 children from all over the UK with a vital respite break at CHICKS.?
Michael and George will begin the ride from Lifton Saturday August 14. The route will take them via Okehampton and Whiddon Down to Exeter with numerous stops. They hope several local people will join them on this day.
The ride ends at Smith?s Lawn, Windsor Great Park on Sunday August 22 at around 3pm.
If you are interested in taking part on any specific day or would like to make a donation, contact Michael on 07831 494676. For further information about CHICKS visit http://www.chicks.org.uk">www.chicks.org.uk
RIGHT: Tracy and Michael, preparing for the charity ride.