|
Algarve |
![]() |
|
|
Ride the Algarve way for charity
• 08 Mar 2007 •
FROM May 13-19, a group of horse riders is scheduled to cross the Algarve, from Alcoutim, on the border with Spain to Cape St Vincent in six days.
This off-road route, known as the Algarve Way (Via Algarviana) was established by local walker. It follows a mediaeval trail created by Mocarabe pilgrims paying homage to St Vincent, the Patron Saint of Lisbon, who was martyred in Valencia in AD303 and then enshrined at the cape named after him, until his remains were taken to Lisbon at the end of the Moorish era.
The organisers of the event said this race will pass through a route, which to their knowledge, has only ever been covered before in its entirety, on horseback, during the previous 2001 charity ride.
The main purpose of the race is to raise funds for two charities: Riding for the Disabled, which helps people of all ages with a variety of physical and mental disabilities to improve their co-ordination, confidence and general life skills by encouraging them to ride and the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Association (PSP), established and registered as a charity in 1994 by Brigadier Michael Koe and his wife Sara, after she was diagnosed with the condition. Sara sadly died in January 1995.
PSP is a relatively rare degenerative disease which, in its early stages, is similar to Parkinson’s. The average life expectancy from the onset of PSP is six or seven years, during which time the affected person will suffer from symptoms including falling, difficulty in walking and in swallowing food and drastic mood swings and changes in behaviour. Little funding is available for research into this harrowing and –so far – always fatal disease.
It is known that the root of the disease is degeneration of nerve cells in the basal ganglia and brain stem, but little is known about its cause, or more importantly, its cure. Support is needed for both research and patient care.
The ride, set to cover a total distance of nearly 240kms, will start in Alcoutim on May 13 and finish at Cape St. Vincent, on May 19. Participants will ride approximately 40km every day with stopovers every night in selected places along the way. Each day will be around seven hours of riding in a group of 18 people, all experienced riders. According to the organisers, most of the route will be completely off-road through beautiful scenery.
Each rider is required to raise a minimum of 1,000 euros in sponsorship money. The organisers said they are prepared to help those participants who don’t have their own horse to find one. Back up jeeps and a camera crew will go along with the race to capture all the fun. This will be the third charity ride in the Algarve. On previous rides, the organisers managed to gain great publicity and raised much needed funds for the two Europe-wide charities. People who wish to participate in the race can contact Jinny Harman on 917 563 050 or Rod Frew on 282 443 284. |  Return to Top
Home Page
Send by Email |
|
Share on Facebook
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![]()
| Birthdays |
| |
Kirstie Alley - 57 - American actress,
Slick Rick - 43 - British rapper,
Tom Rowlands (The Chemical Brothers) - 38 - British musician, |
|
| |
more... |
|
 |
|
