25th & 26th June CHARLTON bringing ride4acure to Western Victoria
Charlton holds a special place in my heart as it was the last place Hannah called home. Hannah lived here during 2008 when she undertook most of her treatment in the later half of the year firstly in Sydney in Aug, Sept and October 2008 then in Melbourne at Peter Mac during November and December. It was also the place where she had her great job with Elders feedlot here at Charlton working with her cousin and some really good friends that she’d made here.
Yesterday when I arrived in Charlton I rode my horses to the Trotting track for an afternoon of racing. It was fantastic. The Charlton Harness Racing committee had dedicated three races in the afternoon to ride4acure. They ran a raffle with two prizes which was incredibly successful and raised $619.
I had the privelege of riding in the start ‘rocket’ that races ahead of the horses to start them off. I have some great pictures that were taken by a professional photographer that I will put up on the website when I receive them, for now my very simple photo will have to do!
In the evening I attended the Charlton Rotary Club dinner and gave a presentation of ride4acure. The Charlton Rotary Club mad a massive donation of $1500 that left me speechless and for those who know me that’s a rarity! I feel such gratitude to this town that made Hannah at home. Charlton Rotary actually changed their meeting night to accommodate my visit to town which is fantastic. The dinner last night was open partners attending and friends and family. My sister Kate and her two daughters Sarah and Liz travelled from Melbourne to be here for both the trot meeting and the Rotary Dinner, also Bec and Cecil Luxford my neice and nephew who live here in Charlton came too which was a delight.
A very big thank you to the McLean Families from Charlton for taking such good care of me and my horses during my stay here. It will be with a little heaviness in my heart that I ride out of here tomorrow morning heading for Wedderburn but coupled with that is the ‘charge’ I’m starting to feel that I’ve just about finished this job! Roll on the 4th July!
