“Pioneers” needed for fund-raiser

Thirty “pioneering” riders are being sought for a 90km 10-day Canadian Rockies Horse Trek Challenge to raise money for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association next year.

The challenge takes place 1-10 August or 9-17 August 2003 and the journey begins in Calgary;a modern city in the plains of Alberta, famous for its annual “stampede”, the world’s largest rodeo.

Riders will trek over the steep and rugged terrain of the Rockies, with spectacular views of snow-capped peaks, glacial lakes and tumbling rivers, then follow ancient Indian trails and more recent logging tracks to Kananaskis country, where a range of hills form a dividing line between Alberta and British Columbia.

Re-living the pioneer days, riders will rely on their mounts and packhorses to carry essential supplies, with food dropped in by air and prepared by local cooks.

To take part, you can either pay a £300 non-returnable registration and raise £2,500 minimum, or pay £1,400 for the flight and accommodation and raise £1,400 minimum.

Everyone will receive a comprehensive fundraising pack that includes letters of authorisation, scratch cards, and sponsor forms.

Guide Dogs’ events manager Gary Murray said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, open to anyone who would like to experience the unique natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies and at the same time, have the satisfaction of raising much-needed funds for Guide Dogs.”

It costs £10 a day to train and support each guide dog and there are currently nearly 5,000 guide dog partnerships in the UK.

Further information about the fundraising challenge is available by contacting the Guide Dogs’ events and fundraising team (tel: 0845 600 6787) or by logging-on to www.trekcanada.org.uk

A brochure outlining the challenge is also scheduled to be launched early in 2003.

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