William Reddaway and his horse Strider, from Cheltenham, will set out on a most ambitious adventure in May 2013. They will travel to all four corners of England via 30 Cathedrals to raise awareness for two charities...
William Reddaway and his horse Strider, from Cheltenham, will set out on a most ambitious adventure in May 2013. They will travel to all four corners of England via 30 Cathedrals to raise awareness for two charities, the Family Holiday Association and the Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre. William will be 65 and three months, when he sets out on his journey.
The Gloucestershire launch of this trip will take place at The Cheltenham Show on 14 July 2012, where visitors will be able to meet William and Strider and learn about their extraordinary undertaking. William has pledged to help The Cotswold Riding for the Disabled raise �5,000 for their activities.
A keen horseman, William has always loved travelling and wanted to do a seriously long journey. Over two years in planning, William realised he could not undertake such a journey until he retired, which he did last summer.
William said: “In 2006, I heard about three women who rode 450 miles from Yorkshire to the Brecon Beacons, and then met riders travelling from John O’Groats to Land’s End. This provided a great inspiration. However, I also felt that this would be a very good opportunity to raise a lot of money for two charities that I have supported for a number of years.”
He continued: “I have supported the Family Holiday Association since 1995 when my daughter’s school was fundraising for it. I know the impact of holidays on children and the vital work that this charity does. In 1998 I heard about the Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre and its work with young people in London. Working with horses, being with horses and riding has a tremendous effect on children and young people, physically and mentally. I visited the Pony Centre and have supported it ever since.”
William and Strider will be travelling alone, relying on friends and contacts to put them up throughout England. He has done the initial route planning, using bridleways and roads, and is now checking that route with contacts around the whole country. As the route is sorted he is looking for accommodation. His first priority for each night is good, safe grazing for Strider and after that a bed for himself. While that planning goes on he and Strider are also getting prepared. William has been delighted with support already received from The Saddle Exchange Company for his saddle, South Essex Insurance Brokers for the insurance on Strider, and Simple Systems Ltd who will provide Strider’s feed and advice on nutrition as his work gets more and more demanding. Farncombe Estate, above the village of Broadway in the Cotswolds, where William worked for 28 years is providing the venue for the start and finish of this 2,500 mile journey.
William is excited that donations to the charities are already approaching �12,000.
For further information about the ride visit www.rideroundengland.org, William has a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/rideroundengland. Strider has his own Twitter feed @riderndengland.
