A CHARITY horse ride will race into Ellerston early next year as it looks to reach a financial finish line of $250,000 for cancer.
The Australian Trail Horse Riders Association’s ‘Ride with Pride’ is a seven-day adventure that attracts participants from across the country, with all proceeds going to The Leukaemia Foundation.
Event organisers De’hanne Keir and Tony Hart have spent a week in the Upper Hunter in order to experience parts of the journey.
Ms Keir said she was looking forward to the ride taking place at “picturesque” Ellerston.
“We’ve raised about $200,000 so far and are hoping to get to a quarter of million now,” she said.
“The number of participants is capped at 50 so that’s a fantastic result.
“Funds raised will assist with accommodation and travel for sufferers [of Leukaemia] in rural NSW.
“There are 992 patients in the Newcastle region looked after by our support services coordinator and 130-150 patients requiring transport spread across the Hunter.
“Our website opened for registrations on Monday, and the response has been amazing.
“We have been working towards this particular one for four years, with each ride held at different locations in NSW to give it a different look and feel.
“Tony and I have been here in the Upper Hunter for the week doing rides for the event and we are astounded by the countryside.”
The event’s fifth edition will go from March 11-18.
An auction night has been scheduled for March 14, which will be open to the public.
Those interested in making a donation can contact De’hanne on 0413 596 547 or Tony on 0419 303 047. For more information, visit www.ridewithpride.com.au
