Vets raise hundreds in memory of young local rider

A WESTBURY vets surgery has raised nearly £600 for the Willberry Wonder Pony charity set up by inspirational teenage event rider Hannah Francis, who died of cancer earlier this year.

The Garston Veterinary group raised £587 for the charity, which was started by Hannah who went to school at Norton Hill in Midsomer Norton.

Hannah hit headlines when she started blogging her fight with a rare form of bone cancer, osteosarcoma, after being diagnosed aged 18. The blog was written from the perspective of her toy pony, Willberry the Wonder Pony.

Hannah raised more than £100,000 towards research into the disease during the 15 months she fought it. The amount raised has since tripled to more than £300,000.

Garston Vets, based in Westbury, Warminster, Trowbridge and Frome, raised £587 at this year’s Frome Cheese Show in September, selling tea, coffee and cake, supplied by Maisie’s Bakery, which is based at Frome Market.

Equine partner, Neil Brimson, who has known Hannah and her family for several years, presented the cheque to the teenager’s grandmother, June Clothier.

June said, “We all miss Hannah so very much. It has been a struggle for the family since she passed away. What is giving us comfort is keeping the charity going, as that’s exactly what she wanted us to do. People have been so generous.

“We want to say a huge thank you to everyone at Garston Vets, with selling the wristbands, mugs and chocolates, as well as helping us at events we have been organising. The response has been truly overwhelming to us all.”

The charity will donate funds towards research into osteosarcoma.

Hannah got the chance to meet many of her heroes in the equestrian world and compete in some top competitions during her battle, so the charity has set up Willberry Wishes, to continue Hannah’s legacy.

The charity aims to fund days out and trips to top equestrian yards, like dressage star Carl Hester or the Olympia Horse Show for people who are suffering with long term illness and life-shortening diseases.

Neil Brimson said, “Hannah was a young lady who was a total inspiration to us all. For several years, I watched her closely as she progressed in her eventing career. It was clear to see she was a star in the making, she was talented and a very determined young woman. But what was so inspirational was how she coped after the diagnosis, setting up the charity, working so hard, the blogs she posted were incredible.

“We are proud supporters of Willberry Wonder Pony and will continue by arranging more fundraising events in the coming year.”

Garston has been providing care for all animals in the Frome, Westbury, Warminster and Trowbridge areas for more than 100 years.