MEMBERS of the equestrian community are set to cycle 205 miles along the UK’s longest bridleway in support of a young event rider from Malvern who recently suffered a life changing fall.
Riders of all ages will cycle The Pennine Bridleway from Derbyshire to Cumbria over five days to raise funds for 23-year-old event rider Saffron Cresswell from Malvern.
Saffron is an international 4* event rider. She has competed for Team GB on several occasions whilst winning various European competition medals in her sport.
Her first competition gold medal came as a teenager, aged just 14. After her fall at the Bramham 4* eventing competition this year, Saffron will need specialist care to recover from her injuries.
The cycling event – organised by Sarah Franklin who worked with Saffron – will take place between October 7 and 12. The fundraiser has already smashed its target of £4,000 with donations totaling more than £5,000 already.
Sarah said: “Saffron has taken myself and my homebred boy ‘Up Mulberry Street’ on the most amazing journey, in eventing, an adventure that I never imagined I would experience.”
“Now, I wholeheartedly wish to support Saffron on her current journey.”
Riders taking part in the journey are hopeful people will support the cause and wave them along during their challenge. The bridleway is 205 miles of minor roads, stone tracks, stone setts, worn causey flags, grass and aggregate tracks from Middleton Top in Derbyshire through the Peak District and the Yorkshire Dales into Ravenstonedale in Cumbria.
A spokesperson for the cyclists said: “We hope you can support as generously as possible on this crazy adventure we are about to undertake to help Saffron with her very long road ahead.”
Visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/saffron-cresswell to donate.
Contact Sarah Franklin via [email protected] to get involved or sponsor the riders.
