Trisha and Karl are taking on this challenge with their Dartmoor Heritage Ponies to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust in memory of Sam McDonald.      

Sam was diagnosed with a rare aggressive cancer in 2004 at 14 years old and sadly lost his battle and died in 2007. Because of his age Sam received most of his treatment on a children’s ward. His intense treatment and care were brilliant but there were no suitable facilities for teenagers: no mobile phone reception, no internet and the television went off at 9pm. It was a lonely place leaving him feeling isolated and cut off.

Sam lived in Somerset and his treatment was based at the Bristol Children’s Hospital.

Teenage Cancer Trust builds specialist Teenage Cancer Trust units in NHS hospitals throughout the UK. These units improve the quality of life and chances of survival for young people with cancer. University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is the designated Teenage and Young Adult Principle Treatment Centre for the South West. Teenage Cancer Trust is keen to support the development of age appropriate care facilities for Teenagers and Young Adults with cancer within the hospital Trust. Once sufficient funds have been raised to make this happen, these facilities will be available to young people from across the region.

Teenage Cancer Trust already fund a Lead Nurse and a Youth Support Coordinator for the South West. Their Lead Nurse works with hospitals across the region to ensure that young people have access to the care and support they need when they're diagnosed with cancer. Their Youth Support Coordinator is providing individually tailored support and activities on and off the ward, and encourages patients to socialise and remain active as young people.
They also fund a Teenage Cancer Trust Education and Advocacy manager who's working hard to educate young people in the region about cancer awareness. He also works with young people once they have been diagnosed to make sure their education and training needs are being met and they can return to school or work when their treatment is over.

Trisha and Karl are fund raising and planning the logistics during 2011, to ensure a safe trip for all. They are also busy training their ponies, Basil, Felix and Archie.

Kevin and Jane, Sam’s parents and close friends of Trisha and Karl are helping with this project and hope to be part of the support team.

So now is the time to raise the money to put these plans into action.

This huge End2End carriage drive will also promote and raise awareness for the Dartmoor Heritage Pony, and hopefully help keep these wonderful ponies from becoming a rare bred.
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