I can’t believe 4 weeks ago today I braved the chop of my hair for two incredible causes, Willberry Wonder Pony and the Little Princess Trust raising £1000 which I never expected in my wildest dreams.If you don’t know about my mop chop for charity, I had over 8” cut off my long locks to raise money for these two amazing charities.
The little Princess Trust provide wigs for young people up to the age of 24, who have lost their hair down to cancer treatments and or other conditions. So once my hair was cut I sent it off to The Princess Trust HQ and received a lovely thank you letter and certificate.
Willberry Wonder Pony seemed fitting for the money to go to as they are a charity which I am a huge supporter of, as I am a young Equestrian myself. I didn’t get to meet the truly inspirational Hannah Frances but she has been a huge inspiration to me and so many others. Her legacy will live on and I wanted to also help with that.
(Photo taken at the 2nd Hannah Frances ODE)
As I said earlier, my final total on my Just Giving page reached £1000 which I am over the moon with as I never thought everyone would get behind me as much as they did. My target was £250 so to smash it 4 times over is the most incredible feeling, I even had a letter from Willberry himself saying thank you on behalf of Hannah. I am so grateful for everyone’s support it really does mean the world to me as I know that money will make a huge difference to help kick cancers butt or to give them the most incredible equine experience, as well as a young person gaining a wig looking like a princess.
Ben Hobday is a Patron of the Charity, who suffered with cancer himself, this was the same time as Hannah. Ben is a huge idol of mine, and I have been very lucky to meet him several times including having a lesson with him a couple years back, when he was kicking cancers butt. Thanks to HorseQuest Advantage, my friend and I won tickets to a Q &A at Badminton where he spoke very openly about it and his relationship with Hannah. This is what made me start thinking I wanted to do something special and give back to the amazing charity.
This is where the mop chop idea came from but it had to wait after my other half brothers wedding before cutting all my hair off as I was a bridesmaid.
I adore my little Willberry friend aka Apache Berry, he comes to all my competitions and adventures, I won’t go xc without him on my back. I was so lucky and honoured to be able to have Hihoberry for a mini break to help with moral support when I had my hair cut. He is very special to Hiho Silver as he was given to them by Hannah.
Hiho have been huge supporters of Willberry, they even have their own range of Willberry Wonder Pony charms which you can wear as a necklaces too and bracelets.For every charm bought from the Willberry Range, Hiho kindly donate £10 to the charity, they have donated an incredible £20,000 so far which I know will be used in many amazing ways.
I must admit it did take a couple days to get used to it the length but i can honestly say i love it but what i wanted to say from the bottom of my heart a huge thank you to everyone for being so generous and supportive.
Love you all Gem x