COULD YOU HELP SICK CHILDREN HORSE AROUND AT BARRETSTOWN?

Barretstown, the centre for children with serious illnesses, is urgently asking horse owners for help. Horse riding is one of the most popular activities at the Ballymore Eustace, Co Kildare, facility. But Barretstown desperately needs new horses and ponies to help the children have some Serious Fun.

Horse-riding Coordinator Claire Rafferty said: “Several of our horses are about to retire or are moving on to pastures new. We and the children would be incredibly grateful if anyone came forward with quiet horses or ponies of 14 hands and above which they could let us have on long or short-term loan or as a donation. They will only be doing gentle work and be well cared for.”

Barretstown, founded by Hollywood actor Paul Newman, provides a fun programme of challenging activities designed to help children deal with the trauma of cancer and other serious illnesses. Kids aged seven to 17 come to the centre from 22 countries around Europe, including Ireland, for seven or 10-day therapeutic programmes.

Claire said: “The children love feeding, grooming and cleaning the horses as well as riding them. Children with cancer have a huge amount of control taken away from them because of their illness and contact with animals re-empowers them and builds up their self-esteem.”

All the children come to Barretstown free of charge – including round-trip airfares – so the centre has to raise €4.5 million each year. This year is its busiest yet with 1,600 children and family members visiting. The life-changing programme is recognised by the medical community as an important part of a child’s recovery from serious illness.

Barretstown is also urgently looking for:

• Saddles - full and pony sizes (preferably general purpose).
• Bridles - full size.
• Headcollars and lead ropes.
• Adult sized stirrup irons.
• Also - our pony and trap tack is beyond repair and so any donation would be excellent (needs to fit a 13.2 hh pony).

If you can help, please contact Claire on 045 864115.

For more information about Barretstown click visit www.barretstown.org

BARRETSTOWN - SERIOUS FUN

Hilary Makin | Communications Manager
Barretstown | Barretstown Castle | Ballymore Eustace | Co Kildare | Ireland

Tel: +353 45 864 151 | Fax: +353 45 864 197 | www.barretstown.org

Charity No. CHY10715

EVERY SO OFTEN A SICK CHILD JUST NEEDS TO BE A CHILD

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