A village schoolgirl has smashed a £1,000 fundraising target for a national equine charity in less than four months.
Courtney Clarke, 10, of Ford, proudly sent off her cheque to The Brooke – the UK’s leading overseas horse and donkey welfare charity, which cares for millions of working animals in the Third World.
It is hoped that the early Christmas present will help to cover some of the charity’s costs, such as paying for a Brooke vet for two weeks to treat injured and sick horses, donkeys and mules and ensure they get the professional care they deserve. Courtney has already held a string of fundraisers in her village, the latest being a fun and festive Tea with Santa which raised around £100. Her father Kevin is set to take part in a tandem skydive in the spring to help raise money for the charity.
A Valentine’s Day dance for adults is planned for February 14 and is set to be followed by a series of discos for children and an Easter egg hunt.
Tomorrow (Tuesday, December 23) Courtney will celebrate her 11th birthday and she has already received an early present – her very own two-year-old pony called Casper.
Daphne Davis, Courtney’s grandmother, said the youngster was overjoyed with the amount of money raised.
She said: “Courtney is so surprised she just can’t believe that she’s managed to raise that money.
“I don’t think in her wildest dreams she thought she’d get to £1,000 and she’s absolutely elated that she has.
“Her life is her pony now and I do think she will end up working with animals.”