Tree Of Life For Animals

It has been almost a year to the day that Caitriona O’Leary announced she was planning a Ride for the Tree of Life for Animals. It is now only a few weeks before Caitriona, a friend and supporter of TOLFA, will set off to begin her epic adventure to raise awareness and money for TOLFA’s work.

She will do this by riding the old nomadic trail from Udaipur to Pushkar ka Mela: the biggest camel fair in the world. This is no easy feat. The ride will see Caitriona and her Marwari horse Chandra cover over 400kms of desert roads and hard dusty tracks.

Caitriona’s reason for even contemplating this feat?;

‘I have known Rachel Wright, the founder, for a number of years and having seen various animal charities throughout Asia I think that hers is one of the best. By raising money for the Tree of Life for Animals, I hope to make it possible for them to provide mobile education camps in nearby villages, providing training in basic animal care for farmers’.

Catriona is currently appealing for donations on www.justgiving.com/caitrionaoleary so please sponsor her and and help make it the success it deserves to be.

In India, the usual daily wage for a labourer is about 50 Rupees, less then one pound. As a result the idea of spending a days wage on worming each cow or buffalo is beyond the means of most dairy farmers.

Worm infestation decreases milk yield and often kills, infestation is high in all animals due to there being no widespread worm control program as is common in developed countries. This is just one example of how a small amount of money can drastically improve the lives of animals and their owners.

How You Can Help

Caitriona has already received a donation of a bitless bridle from Zoe Brooks of the Nurtural Horse company in Canada but more help is needed.

Sponsor Catriona and Chandra

• For just 1p per kilometre (£4) we could raise enough to worm five cows, who will provide milk and its much needed calcium and vitamins for entire families.
• 10p per kilometre (£40) would worm one hundred working donkeys, who provide the only means of income for some of the poorest people in India.
• At £1 per kilometre (£400) Catriona could affix company advertising to her saddlebags so that they appear in publicity photos both in India and Europe.

Donations

Equipment such as tendon wraps to protect Chandra’s legs, a lightweight gel pad to keep his back comfortable or any relevant, lightweight food supplements to help maintain his condition on the ride. Please contact us at fundraising@tolfa.org.uk if you wish to help Caitriona, or would like to find out more.

A real adventure awaits Caitriona and her trusty stead. Everyone at TOLFA wishes them all the best in their venture.

Sponsor Caitriona and Chandra at www.justgiving.com/caitrionaoleary - Every penny counts!

Read more about Caitriona at The Long Riders Guild.com/oleary