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Feb 15

The organisers of the Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials are proud to announce our 2015 charitable partner as the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA).  In the last five years, the event has teamed up with a number of charities, both equine and regional, to raise around £50,000 towards the essential work they carry out.  Running 11 – 14 June, Bramham will be the perfect opportunity for the YAA, an independent charity, to demonstrate their work which covers over five million Yorkshire residents, as well as raise vital funds.

The YAA keeps two air ambulances in the air 12 months of the year, seven days a week, at a cost of around £10,000 per day and are totally funded through donations.  Their two bases in Wakefield and Thirsk ensure that they can reach a casualty anywhere in the region with only a 15 minute flight time to the nearest relevant treatment centre, saving valuable seconds.  The charity employs minimal staff including six pilots plus over 100 volunteers.  The only direct support they receive is through the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust who supply their paramedics through a secondment programme. With total running costs of £3.6million per year, the YAA must tirelessly raise funds to keep the service, which they are rightfully proud of, flying for the community. Nearly 6,000 patients have been assisted and flown directly to hospital since its inception in 2000. 

Kerry Garner, Regional Fundraiser:  “We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen as the Charity for this year’s Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials.  It’s always a spectacular event and we are looking forward to being there over the weekend.  The YAA is an independent Charity covering the whole of Yorkshire, with Bramham being near the heart of the region.  We receive no direct government funding and rely totally on individuals, groups and events such as the Horse Trials to help us raise the nearly £10,000 we need every day.  We also get a lot of support from the equine community too, and attend several incidents each year involving horse-riders, so we’re delighted to be able to become more involved through Bramham International Horse Trials.”

Kerry and her team are busily planning their activities on-site during the four days of action; they’ll certainly be in the trade stand village with their range of merchandise and the opportunity to support their weekly lottery for just £1.  Their volunteers will also be out and about across the site talking to visitors and collecting donations.   Other plans and ways to be involved will be released in the run up to the event.

Event Director Nicholas Pritchard and the team are also deep in planning mode; “The early signs of spring are showing around the Park which are always a welcome sight.  We’ve had our first official inspection already with the FEI Technical Advisers visiting for their first walk of the course with designer Ian Stark so the countdown to June has well and truly begun!” said Nicholas. He continued; “We’re looking forward to working with Kerry and the YAA and hope we can raise a significant amount for this amazing charity.  Any of us could need their services one day so let’s hope our visitors are as generous as ever.”

The Equi-Trek Bramham Horse Trials is Yorkshire’s largest equestrian event with eventing, show jumping, showing, young stock classes and Pony Club activities on show.  The showcase Equi-Trek CCI3* runs alongside the Bishop Burton College under 25 CCI3* and the British Equestrian Trade Association CIC3*; three great classes, four amazing days!  The on-line Box Office is now open and booking in advance qualifies you for discounted tickets and free car parking.  All the more important as it’ll help put pennies back your pocket to spend when you shop around our 160 trade stands in June!  Tickets can be bought for the day or season and you can make your visit a little bit more ‘VIP’ with passes for the members’ enclosure.  Or one of the most popular is to become part of the ‘Bramham furniture’ for the event and camp on-site – season and weekend tickets are available but hurry, these are the first to sell out!  Visit www.bramham-horse.co.uk for full prices and how to book.

You can also follow the news via the website or like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/bramhamhorsetrials) or follow us on Twitter (@BramhamPark).

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