Horse spa near Maltby ponies up for charity drive in rider’s memory

AN EQUINE spa and rehabilitation centre donated hundreds of pounds towards a stable groom’s fundraising campaign in memory of a fellow horse rider.

The donation was put towards stable groom Tia Gill’s fundraising campaign for the Willberry Wonder Pony bone cancer charity, which was set up by promising event rider Hannah Francis, who died two years ago from a rare type of bone cancer, aged 18.

Friend and fellow event rider Tia (20), who has worked at Manor Farm for two-and-a-half years, said the money now takes her fundraising efforts to more than £4,000.

“It’s a bit overwhelming to raise this much really,” said Tia, of Sheffield.

“It just shows how well the equine industry as a whole comes together when it’s something like this.

“It’s nice to see how everyone’s come together and continued the support for Willberry Wonder Pony.”

Tia, a second-year criminology student, and her friends from Sheffield Hallam University’s Equestrian Club will take on a charity climb up Mount Snowdon on May 15.

Falcon Construction Projects has pledged to match £1,550 of the fundraising total. The construction firm has a member of staff whose daughter is part of Tia’s team.

Ann White, of Manor Farm Stables, said: “Hannah was a young, up and coming event rider who had a rare type of bone cancer. It was tragic and she passed away at a young age.

“The equine industry is quite small and you feel quite close to people even if you don’t particularly know them.

“When I heard Tia was doing the climb I wanted to support her.”