Chester Military Museum, BROOKE ..(Action for Working Horses and Donkeys) Picture John Yates start his 300 mile adventure from Chester Military Museum.....SW2892019.
Flooding, blisters and challenging hills have not deterred an ambitious animal lover from tackling a 300-mile walk in aid of working horse and donkey charity Brooke.
The challenge is even more tough for West Sussex-based John Yates as he is pulling a 50kg cart for the entire journey.
He hopes the trek from Chester to his home will help raise awareness of the struggles faced by working equines.
Mr Yates started on 28 September and hopes to finish on 19 October.
His custom-made cart is loaded with food, water and cooking equipment, and converts into a bed to provide somewhere to sleep each night.
“It’s not just about raising money, it’s about raising awareness of how hard horses and donkeys work in the developing world,” he said.
“I’ve spoken to people and they didn’t realise a mule will pull a tonne of bricks a time in an Indian brick kiln, and that’s without mentioning the incredibly hot conditions and poor welfare.”
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Mr Yates intends to walk approximately 15 miles a day and his route was to take him past Shrewsbury, Worcester, Gloucester, Swindon, Salisbury and Winchester, ending in his home town Plaistow around three weeks later.
He started his challenge at Brooke’s art exhibition at Chester Military Museum and was waved off by charity staff and supporters.
So far he has faced unkind conditions, with flooding leading to wet feet and blisters, as well as tough hills and busy roads. But he remains upbeat and said he had met “wonderful and generous” people, who were keen to hear his story.
Mr Yates has set up a JustGiving page and has a fundraising target of £4,000.
The fundraiser is no stranger to taking on tough challenges for charity, as last year he completed a 900-mile bicycle ride for the Senior Staffy Club, which rescues and rehomes Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
“It’s all about education,” he added. “I want to raise awareness for all animals in need and this year I’m focusing on working horses and donkeys.”
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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.
