Department store Rutherfords of Morpeth is planning a fundraising event for disabled Northumberland horsewoman Gayle Bloomfield to help keep her bid for 2017 glory on track on Monday, 24th October 24, in association with cosmetics brand, Clarins.
Women are invited to attend Barluga in Sanderson Arcade, Morpeth, where beauty consultants will share the latest skin care and make-up tips, and there will be special offers on cosmetics. The store will donate £5 from every ticket sold to Gayle to help her achieve her competition dreams with her horse Lucca over the winter.
The inspirational mum-of-two, from Seahouses, has not let being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis hold her back from becoming a top rider – she represented Great Britain at this summer’s International Two-Star Para Dressage Championships in Bishop Burton, Hull, and is hoping to be selected for Great Britain Para Dressage team next summer. However, without sponsorship, she struggles to fund competing at the top level, as it costs her £15,000 a year for entry fees, insurance, feed, veterinary bills and travel expenses. This summer she had to pull out of competitions due to the cost.
Rutherfords hopes to raise around £500 to help her go to qualifying competitions for the Winter Para Dressage Championships at Vale View Equestrian Centre in Leicestershire in March.
Rutherfords MD Richard Rutherford says: “You only have to look at Great Britain’s sportsmen and women at the Paralympics in Rio to see that being disabled is no barrier to success. Gayle is an inspiration to so many people because she hadn’t allowed her disability to hold her back, and it would be a travesty if she was unable to afford to go to competitions.
“We would like to do our bit to help her and hope our customers will come along and enjoy a lovely evening’s event and help to raise money for a great cause.”
Tickets for the fundraising event costing £20, with £15 redeemable against Clarins products on the night, are available from Rutherfords.
