For goodness sake stop the rain. STOP THE RAIN! (this is a long blog just to warn you but I won’t mention the rain again).
It has been another properly wet day hasn’t it? (oops!) And yet, Jacks, Matt and Francis all turned the corner into the Greenways Ambulance Centre absolutely beaming with Molly and Rosie trotting before them. They were greeted handsomely by 30 children, staff and parents from Bromham Primary School, the Ambulance Service Crew, loads of family and friends and the Mayor of Chippenham.
If you’ve not experienced the Horses Help Heroes procession, then it may be worth my telling you the line-up. Basically first through is the spare trailer with all the extra bits and bobs in it, emergency kit etc. Then comes a pre-procession car to keep the front clear, then the Ambulance with the outriders following, before an E-normous horse lorry which is basically their home and then what I would call the sweep with a light on the top bringing up the rear. It is fantastic. And although cars and lorries aren’t especially lovely to look at they do reap comfort when compared to the frame of the open-backed Ambulance with cloth over it for shelter. The contrast is quite striking.
So, anyway, I met loads of people properly for the first time. I met Adam from RPM who’s doing all the photos you see embellishing the blog and on the website; I met Finn who does quite a bit of the PR. He works for Bell Pottinger who have also organised Jacks’ pre-challenge dates. I liked him because he said he thought my blogs were brilliant… but then he owned up to having not actually read them!
Mick was there, with two prosthetic legs riding ‘Caz’(the horse and rider who Barrel Race), so was Paul, also an amputee outriding on ‘Charlie’ this morning, (you can look back through the blog or go to the website homepage to find out who these amazing people are); and I met Matt who was completely surrounded by 30 children! He was like a magnet.
The children met Matt when he visited St Nicholas School in Bromham a while back and he swept them all off their feet. Matt keeps his prosthetic leg exposed which the children find irresistible to talk about: “Matt? Tell us again how your leg stays on”, asks one child. “With superglue of course!” replies Matt with a big smile. Obvious maybe, but this has the children absolutely reeling with giggles.
Who else?
I chatted with Tilly and Sophie who do the changeovers. They were amazingly smiley and stuffing carrots into the horses’ mouths. Oh, which brings me onto the subject of the most incredible amount of lovely food the Ambulance Service laid on. There were sandwiches, cakes, crisps, more sandwiches, and more cakes: fairy cakes, chocolate cakes, sponge cakes… it was fabulous and exactly what the dripping drivers needed.
Jacks looked A-1. How she’d had the opportunity to look Camera-Ready, I’ll never know but she did and gave the radio and BBC Televisions their interviews… you got it, under brollies IN THE POURING RAIN! (I don’t care anymore) Look out for the News tonight.
I don’t think there’s an enormous amount of sleep going on with their extra-curricular challenges leaving them no option but to step on to reach their appointments in particular towns. However, what I do know is that the Best Western Hotel group have been utter luxury for those enjoying a proper night’s sleep. More than one person has come up and told me what a treat it has been. So, on their behalf, THANK YOU, BEST WESTERN HOTELS.
Now, there are a couple of things you could do. Please take a look at the merchandise on the website because now I’ve seen it first hand, there really are some seriously well-made items of clothing and please, please pray that the rain stops.
Remember to leave your written support – the ‘comment’ button is at the bottom of each Blog. The team don’t have time to read the Blog, but they do read your comments.
AND… I’ll give a prize for this one… what do you think is their own little challenge while they’re on the Ambulance? I’ll give you a clue: it’s something much easier for boys to do than girls – but nonetheless, I was told, a challenge of its own!
Honoured to have you pass thru Malmesbury. The road ahead may be long, the hills may be steep, the rain may fall but your fellow countrymen and women will keep you smiling. Safe journeying, keep up spirits and get some sleep!!
Fantastic to see you all in Chippenham, Jacks and the guys looked as fresh as daisies – how do they manage that?? Lovely to meet Mick and Caz who is a very handsome boy! Also great to see the turnout from Bromham – what a special village. Thinking of you all on the rest of your journey – godspeed!
Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. The forcast is for sunny spells in Shropshire so at least you will be dry. keep safe and smiling.
I loved seeing you today in Crudwell and Cirencester. I hope the rain stops and the rest of your incredible journey goes well, I wish I could follow you all of the way. Well done, what a fabulous achievement to get this far so quickly, good luck with the next few days. I will be thinking of you each day and following your news. Lots of love and keep smiling. You are all amazing. xx
hi everyone, have been following your journey online this week and can’t wait to see you in Shropshire tomorrow! have been looking forwards to tomorrow all week and bringing my little boy to see you in Craven Arms, Church Stretton and All Stretton. Really glad the route takes you this way. Weather forecast looks good for friday in Shropshire too.
I have read one now!! and I still think its brilliant! Well done for the Best Western mention! they are so kind helping us out! remember to promote the twitter as im uploading the pics througout the day!
WELL DONE! great blogging!
Looking forward to see you cross the Shropshire Cheshire border later today.
Steph and Di
Hattie and Charlie (the coloured cobs)
Sorry about the rain-I will try harder! Sometimes the rain comes before the sunshine!
So good to hear Rosie and Mollie are doing well and the nettle rash allergy is resolved.
Love the photos.
Shall be thinking of you all day.
Godspeed
looking forward to seeing u in leyland tomorrow.have worn my wristband from
badminton horse trials each day in an attempt to raise awareness
best wishes louise x
I’m so proud of charlie!! He’s made me so proud! good luck to you all!! god bless, this is such a great thing to do, and im so happy i have helped in a small way!
Love Donna . xxx
Was really disappointed not to have seen you come up Park Lane in Chippenham on Thursday. I waited on the corner as long as I thought my very considerate boss would allow me to wait (about an hour, as I was supposed to be working). Was very relieved to hear that you eventually got to the Ambulance Station though. Good luck to you all and I will be following your progress daily.
Sandie’s Mum X X
Hi Sandie’s Mum. We know it’s frustrating as some people have come out to support HHH and might have just missed them. The team wish they didn’t miss important supporters like you. Where, as I’m sure you appreciate, published timings are tricky to stick to, Twitter does try to tell people when they are actually due to arrive in specific places. HHH are indebted to considerable bosses like yours to let as many people as possible to meet us and we are grateful for your continued support. HHH