Epic charity challenge for disabled carriage driving team
A group of disabled carriage drivers and helpers set off on Tuesday (27 September) to drive from the Scottish borders down to Birmingham in 13 days.
The epic drive is being led by competition and display carriage driver Amanda Saville and her ponies from the Chariots of Fire Driving Centre.
It has two aims, to raise money for Sports Driving Unlimited, which provides pony driving activities for people with disabilities, and to provide the drivers, some of which are wheelchair users, with a real adventure.
Chairman of Sports Driving Unlimited Rosemary Flexney said: “They set off from Boreland on Tuesday and drove through Lockerbie, Gretna Green and on to Carlisle where they stayed at Greenlands EC for the night.
“Then on Wednesday they drove to Kendall Rugby Club where they camped for the night and held a try driving session for local disabled people yesterday.
“And today they are on their way to Morecombe.”
The intrepid band aims to arrive at Cadbury’s World in Birmingham on Sunday 13 October.
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Three groups of drivers and ponies will take part each day, covering around 60 miles a day.
So far the ride has raised around £5,000 for Sports Driving Unlimited.
To donate, go to www.justgiving.com/b2bdrive.
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A self-confessed newshound, farmer’s daughter and journalist of many years' experience, Charlotte worked on regional papers before joining H&H in 2007. A regular rider, she visited Ireland in 2010 to investigate the fate of Irish horses through the recession, to much acclaim, and reported from the FEI General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro in 2011. She left Horse & Hound in March 2013.