Our wonderful Corporate Partner Eden Groundworks has raised thousands of pounds for GNAAS from their latest fun horse ride.
The ride was organised by Rodney Kellett, who owns several businesses in and around Penrith, including Eden Groundworks, which specialises in building work, paving, drainage, landscape gardening, and roofing.
He also owns Eden Security and Training, is a project manager for Welplan at the Old Mansion House in Penrith, and owns Mell Fell Livery Yards in Thackthwaite and Greystoke.
In addition to organising fun horse rides for charity, Rodney kindly provides free horse riding lessons to children from low-income families.
In the past he has supported cancer charities and mountain rescue as well as GNAAS.
Speaking about his fun rides, he said: “Most fun rides normally have 40 or 50 riders but at Greystoke I have a massive following and last year we had 207 riders at the event which was at Greystoke Castle. They’re a great venue and some people had travelled three and a half hours to take part.”
The ride at Greystoke Castle raised £5,500 for GNAAS, which qualified Eden Groundworks as a Corporate Partner of our charity.
The latest fun horse ride started at Pooley Bridge and took place on Father’s Day in June.
Rodney organised everything from the route, to parking, to marshalling and a raffle, and had 126 riders taking part.
He said: “I plan the route myself and make my own signs and then I have my son and another couple of people put the signs out. On the morning of the ride at 5.30am I’ll go through the whole route on the quadbike to make sure the signs are still up and there. I have abourt 20 helpers on the day of the fun ride, which I’m grateful for, and I’ve always been lucky and never had a wet day for a ride.”
This year there were people from as far as Cheshire and Edinburgh who travelled down to take part in the ride and in total £2,500 was raised for GNAAS.
Rodney and his son Will recently visited GNAAS’ base to present the cheque to the charity’s staff, including their critical care team.
He said: “When I first found out GNAAS wasn’t government funded I wanted to do something to help them. With me being rural and working with horses, I know a lot of farmers, and they’re the ones who never know when they are going to need GNAAS.
“It feels good to raise £2,500 and I can’t thank everyone enough for their support.”
If you think your child would benefit from riding or grooming horses, you can contact Rodney directly via his Facebook page or call 07850034641.
Share
