An intrepid horserider has expressed gratitude to all the Donegal people who open their homes (and stables!) to her on a unique fundraising mission.
Sandra Schmid, originally from Germany but a resident of West Cork for many years, has finished the Donegal leg of her Wild Atlantic Way trek from Malin Head to Bantry Bay.,
Sandra, astride Skye the horse was accompanied by her trusty canine companion, Turnip on the two week journey from Inishowen through the gap to Donegal Town.
Sandra Schmid, Skye the horse, accompanied by her trusty canine companion, Turnip in Donegal Town on Tuesday.
Sandra is the founder and director of the Hairy Henry Care Farm in West Cork, which provides therapeutic riding and farm activities to children and adults with special needs. This trek is all in aid of the Hairy Henry Educational Trust, specifically their program called “Giddy Up and Go.”
“Giddy Up and Go” aims to support young teenagers who face challenges in mainstream school settings. The program leverages the calming and therapeutic influence of horses at the Hairy Henry Care Farm to offer these teens a meaningful experience in an inclusive setting and build on their personal, inter social and life skills and resilience.
Now safely back home in Cork, Sandra told Donegal Daily: “We had a fantastic time travelling around Donegal – everyone we met was so friendly and helpful. Special thanks to all those families who gave us a safe space for our overnight stops, fed and watered us and opened their homes to us.”
She plans to to be back next year, same time to continue with the second part of the Wild Atlantic Ride into south Co. Donegal and Co. Sligo.
“I would like to express my huge gratitude to all who supported our gofundme campaign and donated. Our gofundme page will remain open as we are still somewhat short of our target to run a first pilot of our educational programme,” Sandra said.
To donate directly to the “Giddy Up and Go” program, visit the GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/educational-programme-for-young-teens