Bob Champion supports Dartmoor Horse Ride for Autism
A charity ride supported by Bob Champion and other racing world greats will take place next month in Devon to raise funds and awareness for autism.
The fifth Dartmoor Horse Ride for Autism on 13 April has been organised by Allen Lewis.
The 20-mile ride is to raise funds for Paul Lewis, Allen’s son, who is six years old and autistic.
The family take part in the Son-Rise Programme, a natural American therapy that they say has transformed their lives.
Paul, who had no eye contact and was unable to speak a word, now has an uncountable vocabulary and interacts with all his family directly as a result of this natural therapy.
Allen told H&H: “We started the Son-Rise Programme in January 2005. It is based on mirroring the child, entering their world and in turn they enter yours.
“The results have been absolutely amazing.”
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Former jockey Bob Champion will start the ride and will also present the medals at the end. Bob famously won the Grand National with Aldaniti in 1981 when he was recovering from cancer.
In 1983 the Bob Champion Cancer Research Trust was formed, and has since raised millions of pounds.
Several famous faces from the world of horse racing and hunting will be present to show their support including former eight-time champion jockey Peter Scudamore and former champion trainer Martin Pipe.
Jimmy Frost, who won the 1989 Grand National on Little Polvier, will be riding with his daughter.
Willie Carson, Richard Dunwoody and Tommy Stack have all donated racing pictures to auction on the day.
The ride will start at 11am on Sunday 13 April at The East Dart Hotel, Postbrigde, Devon. The ride costs £10 to enter but all sponsored riders are free.
For more information tel: 01822 614335
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.