Teenager to tackle 240-mile ride in memory of best friend
A teenager will be tackling a 240-mile ride next month in memory of her best friend.
17-year-old Lucy Harley plans to ride from Princes Mead, Winchester, to Daymer Bay, Cornwall.
The Newbury A-level student decided to take on the challenge to raise funds for Allegra’s Ambition.
The charity was set up in memory of her friend, Allegra, who died suddenly in February last year, 16 days before her 16th birthday.
Allegra had a passion for sport and Allegra’s Ambition aims to help other young people enhance their lives through sport and outdoor activities.
Lucy and Allegra enjoyed hacking and hunting together.
“Allegra loved horses,” Lucy told H&H. “I wanted to do something special in her memory — we were at prep school in Winchester and Allegra loved going on holiday every year to Daymer Bay.
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“She was the happiest, kindest person who adored any sort of animal, sport or outdoor activity and everyone who knew her adored her.”
Lucy will be partnered by her 18-year-old skewbald pony, Wella, for the challenge and aims to cover 15 miles a day.
She plans to set off next month (19 July) and hopes to complete the ride in two weeks.
“I’ve never done anything like this before, no long distance riding, but I’m really excited about it,” Lucy said.
“We have lots of different stop along the way, with people who live along the way and stopping off at livery yards and fields.
“At this stage it’s hard to know what will happen.”
Lucy will be wearing pink hi-vis for the duration of the ride with ‘Ride for Allegra’ printed on her tabard.
“If anyone sees us, please give us a wave,” added Lucy.
“The main reason I am doing this is to raise money for Allegra’s Ambition, but for me it is also to remember Allegra who was my best friend and who I miss very much, and who I know will be with me on this ride.”
So far, Lucy has raised £585 of her £1,000 target.
For more information visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Lucy-Harley1
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.