Vet receptionist is saddling up to help fight cancer

Ruth Hallam is taking on The Wobbleberry Challenge with her horse Cailin to raise money for The Willberry Wonderpony charity.

The charity raises money to fund research into cancer, and was founded by Hannah Francis, a keen event rider, who tragically lost her battle with bone cancer in 2016.

The challenge asks riders over the age of 25 with little or no eventing experience to train and compete in an 80cm class British Eventing course in just 12 months. Ruth will be entering the competition at Norton Disney in Nottinghamshire in October.

Ruth was inspired to join the challenge after reading Hannah’s story and after buying her first horse at the age of 43 wanted the opportunity to test her and her mare’s skills.

Ruth said: “I have followed Hannah’s story since she started a blog in 2015 while she was suffering from cancer, and I was really inspired by her bravery.

“Since I got Cailin I’ve been looking for a new opportunity to help us both improve our skills, so when I saw the Wobbleberry Challenge it seemed like the perfect way of keeping us active whilst raising money for a good cause.

“The challenge has been really exciting but it has been hard work. However Hannah’s story really inspired me to push on.”

Ruth has been riding since she was eight years old and has always been passionate about animals. It was this love that first attracted her to Dowding Vets where she has worked for three years.

If you’d like to help Ruth reach her fundraising target, please visit her JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ruth-hallam1.