The Pfizer Ridgeway Sponsored Ride

Pfizer, makers of StrongidTM-P, have pledged their full support for the Spinal Research Saddle-Up Campaign, and are sponsoring the Ridgeway Sponsored Ride in 2002. The ride will mark the end of the second year of the Campaign which has already raised over £30,000 for the charity’s new research programme, but they need to raise £3 million a year to take us a step closer to clinical trials on treatments for broken necks and backs.

The team at Spinal Research are thrilled to be working with everyone at Pfizer who are such keen supporters of equestrian events and of its participants. “Supporting Saddle-Up and the work of Spinal Research seems to make such good sense for all those of us who ride and we are pleased to be involved with such an exiting event”, said Laura Jenkins, Strongid-P Brand Manager at Pfizer. Strongid-P recently sponsored the Indoor Horse Driving Trials Championships National Final, of which the Saddle-Up Campaign was the beneficiary. “It is great to be helping the charity build on the existing support that riders are so obviously keen to give and to help Spinal Research meet their funding needs” Laura added.

Recalling the excitement of her first ride through Windsor Great Park with Ginny Elliot over 15 years ago in support of the Wishing Well Appeal, Miranda Kavanagh, Director of Corporate and Public Affairs at Pfizer said, “Pfizer are very committed to research in the fields of both animal and human health, so we are delighted to be able to combine the two by sponsoring the Saddle-Up Campaign.”

The opportunity to ride with Ginny Elliot again will be a nostalgic trip for many riders who have already expressed an interest in taking part, as well as a new adventure for those that have not ridden the Ridgeway.

The 4-day sponsored ride covering about 60 miles in total is planned for Thursday 25th July to Sunday 28th July 2002. The ride will take place along part of the Ridgeway Trail, starting in Oxfordshire and finishing at the Stoke Mandeville Spinal Unit in Buckinghamshire. Ginny Elliot will be riding the entire route and up to 60 riders per day will be invited to join her for about 15 miles of the route. Riders will pay a £15 entry fee to join the ride for their chosen day and be encouraged to get sponsorship for the ride with a minimum target of £100.

If you would like to join the ride or find out how you can help, call Nicolette on 01483 898 786 or e-mail saddle-up@spinal-research.org. Alternatively write to Ridgeway Sponsored Ride at Spinal Research, 8a, Bramley Business Centre, Station Road, Bramley, Guildford GU5 0AZ.