Charity News

Date

April 11 2019

Written By

Team Willberry .

Life on the Left Shoulder

Written By Team Willberry . - April 11 2019

Hi everyone,
My name is Bradberry and I am a Wonderpony. A few years ago I was plucked from the Willberry stand at Barbury International Horse Trials to join TEAMBRITNELL and David Britnell Eventing. I was immediately named Bradberry after the stablename,Brad, which is David’s top horse, Continuity.
What followed has been a roller coaster, literally! I live life on the left shoulder of David Britnell which is an exhilarating spot to be. I have my own cross country colours which match David’s and scarf to keep the chill out. I am strapped safely onto his cross country bib with red electrical tape but I am relieved to hear that my Willberry family have invented a Willberry harness so my next event should be supremely comfortable. My job is very important as I look after the kit and lorry when they are outside doing jobs and then, when David gets kitted up to ride I navigate. Don’t tell anyone but he once missed out a fence before I joined the team.
I also check distances, help to keep him balanced, keep an eye on the clock and cheer them both on. It’s not outside assistance if it’s inside assistance! I keep a check on those pesky corner and skinny flags too, as they are a real worry these days. Not that Brad ever means to do anything other than go between them.
Someone asked me the other day whether I love David or Brad more. I simply couldn’t answer because we are all brothers when we are galloping and flying those huge fences. Of course I also get to help out with David’s other rides too and regularly get dusty and wet though thankfully rarely muddy.
Last season we completed Blenheim and went to France to compete at Pau in our first 4, now 5* and following an exciting Belton and Larkhill aboard Brad's stable mates (where the start team tried to rename me “Attackberry” on account of Gmas (David’s Mum Dawn who wears a pink #KICKINGCANCERSBUTT wristband) war cry when we are about to start) we are now preparing for our first visit to Badminton. Actually it will be their second visit as they were 5th in the Grassroots Championships in 2012/13.
I am looking forward to hearing the commentators talking about Hannah, Willberry and the wonderful charity they set up as we ride round the cross country course. I may not hear all of it, what with the wind in my ears, Brad’s hooves thundering and the sound of the crowd, but I know she will be watching us and cheering us on.
Crack on as David always says,
Love 

Bradberry x

Date

March 31 2019

Written By

Team Willberry .

Burghley Sponsored ride

Written By Team Willberry . - March 31 2019

How exciting does this look? Willberry is off to practice his jumping with Doris, he reckons they might need a little work if they're to get over any of the 5* fences...

Date

March 31 2019

Written By

Team Willberry .

February's Fundraising!

Written By Team Willberry . - March 31 2019

 

Kathy is one of our regular fundraisers and we are so grateful for her continued support, another £100 Willberrys way!! Without all our fundraisers we could not continue to do the research and Willberry Wishes, both of which are so desperately needed.

 Total Gift Aid received has totalled £1565.13. If you are eligible for Gift Aid ticking that box really does make a huge difference in #kickingcancersbutt!
Patti organised  a Barn Dance & Disco at Faulkland Village Hall in January, we hope you all had a good Do-si-do while raising £266 towards Hannah’s wonderful charity.  
Thank you to all you Amazon buyers out there, you have raised a fantastic £83.69 while buying your goodies online. You can help add to this total by switching to Amazon Smile following this link. 
The Paypal Giving Fund paid us a fantastic £944.00 this month, Willberry and his team are so grateful to all that participate in this.
Wynnstay Agriculture in Crewkerne have a collection pot on the check out desk, this was recently emptied and they have collected £60.39.
We have received the marvellous amount of £1254.10 from Sainsburys in Frome as a donation from their carrier bags.
All our wonderful just giving & Virgin Money Giving supporters have raised a brilliant £4135.84. Derby Equestrian College asked the Derbyshire H&P Society to make their donation to Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony, we are astounded by how kind people can be.
Lois kindly helped organise a bake sale at Myerscough College, we hope you all enjoyed the cakes and goodies. Willberry is wishing he was there to sample the tempting treats!!
#kickingcancersbutt
#makingmemories

Date

March 11 2019

Written By

Team Willberry .

THE WINNER OF THE HANNAH FRANCIS AWARD

Written By Team Willberry . - March 11 2019

Drum roll please....

Claire Drey-Brown 

 

Willberry had such a tough time reading all of the awesome applicants for his best friends award. If only he had lots of awards to hand out... Each and every one reminded him of the inspirational qualities of his best friend and the pure strength and determination she showed the world.

So what was Claire’s breathe taking story? Over the last few years Claire has had a hellish time but she has always managed to continue eventing, THE sport she lives for (who does that remind you off..!), but to support others as well.

Claire’s brother Jamie fought cancer for three years, at the same time as Hannah. Claire was very involved in Jamie’s illness and even fonated her bone marrow for the transplant he underwent. Sadly Jamie died in April 2016, but not before Claire and her eventing friends did a skydive which raised £24,000 (!!!) for the teenage cancer trust #eventersjump4cancer.

The effect of losing a loved one is great, and unfortunately Claire was struck with serious depression. Amazingly she continued to compete up to intermediate level and even represented the south east region at CCIJ* at the Festival of Youth at Weston Park. Sadly in December 2017 she was fell off a friends horse and shattered one of her ankles. The first operation she had did not go to plan and Claire was left unable to use her left ankle and leg correctly.

Nevertheless, she carried on eventing (albeit at a lower level than before) and set up her own yard in May, using crutches and then an iwalk (a bit like a crutch that you can kneel on) to muck out and work the horses from the ground. She saw the eventing season out before having another operation to rectify the first. During this time she set up the ‘CDB Eventing Squad’ through which she mentors teenage riders who have mental health issues or who want support and advice. She has been contacted by teenagers all over the world.

Willberry was blown away with can-do attitude Claire showed to continue to be so successful in the sport she loves despite going through such tricky emotional and physical battles. Despite these personal battles, the support Claire has shown to people surrounding her is inspiring to see.

One things for sure, Jamie must be looking down with a heart filled with pride.

Date

March 01 2019

Written By

Team Willberry .

January Round-Up

Written By Team Willberry . - March 01 2019

 Jo Rossiter from East Mendip Riding Club got her club in a festive vibe by hosting a Christmas raffle, raising an awesome £182.
Frome and District Fatstock Society had a cracking time at their annual dinner. They kindly chose Hannah and Willberry to receive £326.10 from their draw. 
Julie Jones kindly made some beautiful ponies to sell on behalf of Willberry - her efforts sent £116 towards Willberry's mission to keep #kickingcancersbutt.
Hannah's secondary school tutor, Tom Hockaday, organised a birthday breakfast for himself. Willberry was mighty impressed with the yummy food (and a tad envious...) but he was also impressed by the £501 that came his way! 
Kim Ursell from Poldens & Bridgwater RC had raffles at various event in 2018. The continued support is so appriecated by Willberry and his team, as is the £65 that came our way! 
Balhagen Equestrian held an auction (under the watchful eye of Fiona MacKinnon). The prizes must have been super duper special as a staggering £2,799.05 was raised!!
Claire Ryan tested the brain power in her area when she hosted a general knowledge quiz. Stephen Fry may have something to worry about as the evening was a huge success and raised an equally huge total of £1166.
The continued support of Loch Leven Equine Practice has been overwhelming, and to recieve another £670.01 for various events and client talks made Willberry so grateful for the lovely people who continue to support Hannah's charity.
Shirely and Gren Taylor sent a kind donation over to Team Willberry - thank you!
Shane Phelps and Rosi Brown, respective Mens and Ladies captains at Farringdon Golf Club, kindly had Hannah's Willberry Wonder Pony as the clubs Charity of the Year. Their awesome efforts of raffles and collections pots throughout the year was rewarded with a total of £5,591,50 being raised!!! 
Charlotte Christopher created Performance Event logbooks for riders and donated the profit to us. Keep an eye out for our upcoming raffles for the chance to get your hands on one...
Linda Casells did a fundraising event and also organised for the Bank of Scotland to match her fundraising efforts, resulting in £367 coming Willberry ways so he can continue #makingmemories.
All you wonderful supporters raising money through JustGiving led to a combined total of £1688.47 raised in January!! Team work makes the dream work ey?
Wincanton & District had their barrows and wellies at the ready for a sponsored Muckathon. They must have all had some good previous experience as between them they raised an almighty £1000!!
#kickingcancersbutt
#makingmemories

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