Clubs urged to contribute to Horse Ambulance fund-raiser

[Wandering Eyes]

The Methven Trotting Club is issuing a challenge to all clubs to contribute to Addington Raceway’s Coast to Coast fundraiser.

Club president Carl Markham has pledged $100 to the cause on behalf of the club and would love to see other clubs right around the country get involved and also stump up with some cash.

A week today the Addington Raceway team of Chief Executive Brian Thompson, Facilities and Property Manager John Denton and IT Manager Andy Ross will take part in the Coast To Coast as part of a three person team. The aim is to raise funds for the Horse Ambulance Trust.

So far $2540 has been donated through their givealittle page.

For anyone wanting to contribute please click here

On February 10 and 11, the trio will run, bike and kayak around 230 kilometres from Kumara on the West Coast to the finish line at New Brighton.

“We are there to finish, we are not going to podium,” jokes Thompson, “but it is all for the best cause.”

Thompson and Denton are Coast to Coast newbies while Ross is a veteran of the race.

“Last year Andy did the Longest Day and we joked next year we’ll do it altogether and here we are 12 months later!” says Thompson.

Ross did the one day event in under 14 hours and will be responsible for the 60 plus kilometre kayak down the Waimakariri river.

Denton, the team’s cyclist, will have three rides during the two days, between 15 and 70kms each, while Thompson has arguably the toughest task of running 30 kilometres over the Main Divide.

“I did run over Goat’s Pass over the holidays and we did it in about five and a half hours, it is tough but it’s doable,” says Thompson.

“J D has been training hard and we know he’ll get there on sheer determination alone and Andy will just turn up and get it done – he’s the pro!”

Also helping out will be the support crew of Finance Manager Catherine McLeavy and Operations Manager Deb d’Guild.

“It’s the Dream Team pretty much,” says Thompson, “it should be a lot of fun.”

But raising money is the real focus.

Established in 2016 the Horse Ambulance Trust has a fleet of nine ambulances the length and breadth of the country. That ensures that all race meetings and equestrian events are now covered.

The Trust relies heavily on donations and generosity from the public.

Thompson has no target in mind in terms of how much they want to raise.

“Who knows?’ he says, “but hopefully people will see what we are doing and will get on board.”

 

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