Fundraising success stories
Thanks to so many individuals that have put time and effort into raising money for SPANA, we have received more than £150,000 over the years! Vital money that has helped thousands of working animals.
If you are in need for some inspiration for your fundraising event, have a look at the amazing success stories below.
Horse power CPD
SPANA’s former Chairman, Derek Knottenbelt took on a massive challenge this summer, raising money for SPANA’s Disabled Riding Centre in Mali. The challenge named Horsepower CPD, involved ten British Equine Vets, ten motorbikes, seven British Vet Schools and seven days.
The vet tarvelled far and wide and delivered free talks on equine health care at the Vet Schools and made an amazing £60,000 for the SPANA. The donations were split between the British Equine Veterinary Trust and SPANA’s Disabled Riding Centre in Bamako, Mali.
This money will go such a long way in Mali where the simplest of things can make the biggest of differences to severely disabled children. The centre gives children the opportunity not just to interact with animals but also develop physically under the guidance of a qualified physiotherapist, and emotionally as they interact with each other and play with toys that they don’t have any access to at home.
Huge congratulations to Derek and the rest of the motorbiking vets for this wonderful achievement.
Take a look at their giant effort here
Racing donkeys
On 26th April 2009 three SPANA donkeys successfully completed the London Marathon! Apart from a few nasty blisters, Jeremy, Simon and Peter were doing fine.
Completing the marathon wearing the heavy costumes is a very graphic reminder of the enormous burdens that working animals have to carry every day of their lives, and the distances they have to carry them.
Many donkeys and mules have to complete a marathon every day - our team had to do it just once!
The day in pictures:
There is still time to show your support! Visit their JustGiving page or call us on 020 7831 3999.
You can also read their individual reports about this amazing day on SPANA's blog.
And if this wasn't hard work enough, Simon threw himself into the costume another time! This time to tackle the BUPA 10k on 25th May, together with colleague Aaron. Again they were able to raise lots of awareness and valuable funds for our work.
Be sure to watch this space, as this certainly won't be the last time our racing donkeys take to the streets!
Inspired? Why not take part in a running event and help working animals at the same time? Have a look at upcoming running events.
A different trip to Marrakech
Patrick Sells, a qualified vet from Liverpool University raised over £10,000 for his 3,100 mile motorbike ride from Liverppool to Marrakech.
After 11 days and an incredibly tough journey that took Patrick and his bike through the black ice of the Pyrenees, he also volunteered for SPANA in Morocco and completed a study into harness-induced injuries in horses.
He said of his trip, “I threw myself into the work, finding it hugely rewarding. It has been a superb learning curve from a veterinary perspective, and a life experience I shall never forget. The ethos of the charity concentrates not only on treatment but also on prevention. Inside the SPANA refuge I found a white washed haven, a tranquil space in the mad busy city, where injured and sick working animals are given free veterinary treatment, and a chance to rest.”
Thank you Patrick for your bravery and your invaluable support!
A Donkey Quiz Night
Huge thanks and congratulations go to Sandra and Graham Witherick who recently raised a whopping £618 by holding a SPANA Quiz Night at their local village hall.
Despite the appalling weather conditions on the evening of Friday 6th February, the High Ongar Village Hall was filled to capacity. Every detail of the event was carefully considered; the teams were named after famous horses and donkeys and there was even a Donkey themed round in addition to the usual subjects like Sport and Literature.
The evening had a wonderful atmosphere with much laughter and good humoured rivalry between the teams.
Sandra said, “From designing and selling the tickets to the final locking of the hall door, it was a truly enormous effort, but well worth it if we can prevent the suffering of a few donkeys and other working animals.”
What a fantastic way of raising some much-needed funds for SPANA’s work!
Inspired?! Have a great idea for a fundraising event?
Contact us or find out more:
- Run for SPANA
- Take part in a fundraising challenge abroad
- Organise your own event
- Get SPANA's fundraising pack
- What the money you raise could buy