Charity reining in

The Great New Zealand Trail Ride Trust needs your help - to keep the trust going, a minimum of seven people are required to form a committee.

The Great New Zealand Trail Ride began in 1996 to raise awareness and funds for multiple sclerosis (MS). In later years other volunteers took over the annual event, with funds being donated to various charities.

Every year the trail ride is held in a different part of New Zealand. The format is generally the same every year. Participants meet at the end of February/early March for a week of trekking, entertainment and raising funds for charities.

Volunteers set up camp and during the week are responsible for shifting the entire camp to the next site, once riders have departed.

Riders pay a set fee which covers items such as food, equipment hire, horse feed and entertainment. Almost every day riders trek a designated route, while volunteers pack up camp and drive to the next site. Due to the remoteness many items are needed such as portaloos, portable showers and catering trucks. Over the week riders trek over some amazing farmland and volunteers get to see many places rarely accessed by the public.

A rest day is incorporated midweek and no riding is done, but participants have an opportunity to do their own activities, such as sightseeing or heading to the nearest town for some home comforts.

Volunteers still do jobs on the rest day such as helping with catering and labelling items for the charity auction. A charity auction is held on the rest day where participants donate goods. All money raised from donated goods goes directly to nominated local charities.

An awesome range of entertainment is organised in the evenings. In the past an on-site photographer and videographer have provided a great range of mementoes. Friday is the last day for trekking with the evening's entertainment winding up an awesome week of thrills, fun and laughter. Saturday is spent cleaning up. With up to 180 horses and up to 250 people involved, organising such an event requires dedicated volunteers and committee.

I thoroughly recommend participating in the Great New Zealand Trail Ride, either as a volunteer, rider or committee member. You do not have to be a horsey person to be involved, just an interest in charity and being involved with a great bunch of people who have raised thousands of dollars for many charities - and an opportunity to see parts of our amazing country that most people never get to see.

If you are interested in being involved phone or txt 0204 0087 276.