A 22-year-old woman is taking on a 200 mile horse ride along the East Anglian coast in memory of her late father while fundraising for St Elizabeth Hospice who cared for him in his final days.
Starting from her home in Eyke, Suffolk, Georgie Veale and her 19-year-old, former show horse, Plum will be riding along the region’s coast over the course of a week in memory of her late father Jonnie Veale who passed away from cancer ten years ago while being cared for at the Ipswich based hospice.
Embarking on their journey on 5th September, Georgie and Plum, accompanied by her mother Sarah and horse Peter, will ride 20 miles-a-day, while joined by friends and family for support, before reaching their destination at Holkham, in Norfolk, on 11th September.
Georgie, who works as a graduate surveyor in London, said: “I wanted to do a memorable fundraising event to raise as much money as possible for St Elizabeth Hospice, ten years on since they took incredible care of my father during his final days.
“Their care and generosity allows families to be there with their loved ones during their final days. Without them, my father wouldn’t have been in a relaxed environment surrounded by friends and family, which we are extremely grateful for.”
The chosen route has been meticulously planned as to avoid bridges, gates and other rural obstacles which would prove challenging to a horse, while along the way Georgie and Plum will be stopping overnight at various stables to recuperate which have been kindly offered by supporters en route.
As the adventure fast approaches Plum’s fitness regime is in full force, with Georgie taking her for long rides across diverse terrain, such as climbing over fallen down trees, ascending steep hills and trekking, to keep her fit in preparation for their fundraising ride.
While Peter, a retired police horse who has been lent to Georgie and Sarah by their sponsors Happy Horse Saddlery and Ryder-Davies & Partners, is also joining Plum in her training regime ahead of their challenge.
“My inspiration for this trip was to take part in something I love for this charity. My father was always supportive of my riding, while my grandmother Angela Veale, took part in a sponsored ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats in 1948,” explained Georgie.
“I am really excited to get started and to witness the east coast’s gorgeous scenery as we ride on the beach, swim in the sea with the horses and just appreciate how lucky we are to live here.”
Celia Joseph, Area Fundraising Development Manager at St Elizabeth Hospice, added: “As an independent charity we rely on the generosity of community support for our fundraising to ensure we can provide our much needed service and care provision to patients and their families.
“We are extremely grateful for this tremendous support and want to say a big thank you and good luck to Georgie and Plum as they take on their challenge and we encourage everyone to get behind them and support them with their fundraising.”
St Elizabeth Hospice is an independent Suffolk charity providing free services to improve life for people living with a progressive or life limiting illness throughout Suffolk, including Great Yarmouth and Waveney where the hospice provides specialist palliative care services to the community in partnership with the social enterprise, East Coast Community Healthcare.
Centred on an individual’s needs, the hospice provides specialist support, whenever and wherever it is needed, whether at home, in the community or at the hospice.
To donate towards Georgie Veale’s challenge visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/georgie-veale.
To find out more about St Elizabeth Hospice call 01473 727776 or visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk
Photos courtesy of The Veale Family
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