Hundreds of people will be taking part in a sponsored horse ride through Alderley Edge this weekend to raise money for Christies.
On Saturday, 9th April, a few hundred riders will be departing from the Boddington and Dragon pub on Altrincham Road, Wilmslow and making their way to Panacea with the aim of raising a significant amount for The Christie Hospital.
The charity ride, which is sponsored by Demmy's donkeys and turned in to a massive event, is the brainchild of Wilmslow resident Heather O'Neil. She originally intended for it to take place in the run up to Christmas but the weather prevented it from happening.
Heather told me "I thought it would be lovely for the little ones to see the donkeys and ponies at Christmas but in hindsight it is a good thing the weather put an end to it because the response has been 100% better.
"It has been fantastic. I really didn't expect the amount of phone calls and positive feedback I have had."
Heather decided to organise the charity ride following her dad's sudden death last August, at which time her mum was undergoing her second round of chemotherapy.
Heather said "My mum starts radiotherapy today so we will be at The Christie every day for the next 8 days. They can't cure her but if it wasn't for The Christie she wouldn't be here.
"The place is absolutely fantastic, the atmosphere, the nurses and everybody - they are all so pleasant, so upbeat and so helpful. So I decided I wanted to give something back and animals is what I do, what I know. I have never organised anything like this before but I've really enjoyed it."
Any one who wants to ride or walk with the group on Saturday is very welcome though any riders will have to provide their own horse.
Heather explained "I have managed to pull together another 12 horses but I don't think I am going to manage any more. I think I have exhausted the supply in the North West of England. I was originally riding but I have given up my horse to a friend so I now going to be walking."
Heather rescues horses and ponies which are no longer wanted, neglected or abused and she keeps them at her stables in Morley Green, along with her hand reared sheep.
Millionaire bookie Selwyn Demmy, who also spends a considerable amount of time caring for deprived animals, has kindly offered to help both financially and by providing his donkeys who will be taking part in the ride.
Riders and walkers will depart from the Boddington and Dragon where actress Samia Smith will cut the ribbon at 11am to mark the start of the ride. The procession will then continue up Altrincham Road to Wilmslow Town Centre and turn left down Green Lane to Banks Square. They will then travel up Swan Street, turn right at The Bollin Fee and head past St Anne's Parade and along Alderley Road to the Kings Arms' roundabout.
The procession will then head to Alderley Edge where they will meet up in the Panacea car park before proceeding through the village and turning right at De Trafford Arms to travel down Chorley Hall Lane and up Ryleys Lane before returning back to the Panacea car park.
For more information or sponsorship forms please call Heather on 07789 134907.
Participants will also be collecting donations along the way for The Christie.
Photo by Bill Ward.
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However, there was a last minute change of plan. The intention was for over 100 horses to ride through Wilmslow Town Centre and on to Alderley Edge to raise money for The Christie Hospital, but in the end only those animals that were being led took this route, whilst the majority took to the bridal paths.
Some animals were led through Alderley Edge about 3.30 on Saturday afternoon but for photos of the ride, which was officially started by Coronation Street actresses Samia Smith and Alison King, see our article on wilmslow.co.uk. http://bit.ly/fruCIU.