United Kingdom resident Elaine Sissons is preparing to climb mountains to raise funds for horses rescued from abuse and neglect in Spain.
The 60-year-old will take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge on March 26, raising cash for Spain’s Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre while climbing the three peaks that make up the Pennine Range: Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-Ghent.
To prepare for the 26-mile challenge, Elaine initially began practicing on the rugged Spanish mountains around her holiday house in the southeastern Alicante region. Now back in Leeds, Elaine has joined a running group and walks everywhere.
“I have never done a marathon before or climbed three mountains in succession,” Elaine said.
She was inspired into action after meeting Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre co-founders Sue and Rod Weeding in September 2014. Soon after, Elaine began volunteering with Sue in the centre’s La Zenia charity shop.
“I felt very humbled by their dedication, hard work and selflessness,” Elaine said. “What they have achieved and continue to achieve is amazing. Because I could see the difference they were making to every horse they saved, I wanted to help.”
After returning to the United Kingdom, Elaine decided she would continue her support through a fundraising challenge every March.
Last year, she raised €571 for the rescue centre by completing a tandem sky diving jump for her 60th birthday.
She hopes to raise even more during this year’s Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.
The Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre relies entirely on donations to fund its important animal welfare work, including the feeding and care of the centre’s more than 90 horses, ponies and donkeys rescued from abuse, neglect and abandonment.
Donations of cash or items for the centre’s network of eight charity shops across the Alicante province are gratefully welcomed. A pick-up service is available to collect large donated items such as furniture and each shop also offers a delivery service for large items purchased in-store.
Anyone interested in making a donation, becoming a long-term sponsor, or volunteering at the rescue centre or in the charity shops can call Sue on 652 021 980.
The Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre, located just outside Rojales at Partido Lo Garriga, 59, opens to the public on the first Sunday of every month between 1pm and 4pm. Free horse tours run throughout the afternoon and refreshments are available in the café. For more details and directions, please visit www.easyhorsecare.net.
