Willberry couldn't believe how many lovely friends came to visit him and his team of helpers on the stand at this year’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials. All those extra teabags he packed went home unused as there wasn't a moment to spare for him to sit in his favourite deck chair and enjoy an afternoon cuppa. One of his chums noted that there were only two queues at Badminton – one was for the toilets, the other was for Willberry’s merchandise!
Well, it's taken a little while for him to count all of those shiny pound coins but Willberry is delighted to announce that his little stand on Beaufort Way took in excess of £60,000 over the five days he was there. He’s so proud of everyone who contributed whether they purchased a wristband or hoodie, or offered a loving home to a Berry Pony.
Willberry also wants to say a very special thank you to all the lovely volunteers who gave up their time to help on the stand even if they did keep dipping into his special supply of Rich Tea biscuits. Those fabulous folk worked non-stop from dawn till dusk every day to make Willberry’s dreams come true.
But Willberry’s Badminton adventures were not just confined to the trade stand. With the help of Dingleberry and a magical wave of Wishberry’s wand, the lovely Lucy Watts was granted a special Willberry Wish that helped her and her family enjoy a fabulous day on the cross country course and an unexpected one-to-one with FEI world number-one Michael Jung. Willberry Wishes are a big part of the Charity’s work so if you know somebody who might benefit from our help then please get in touch.
You can read more about Lucy and her special day by clicking here.
Michael Jung’s support for Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony Charity didn't stop there as the reigning Olympic champion and La Biosthetique Sam took to the cross country course in front of a crowd of thousands and global TV audience of millions with Jungberry, Michi’s very own adopted Berry Pony, tightly clinging on to his back as co-pilot. Michael himself said afterwards that Jungberry had been shouting “faster, faster” in his ear the whole way around - it must have helped as they took second place overall! Also helped around the cross country course by Berry co-pilots were New Zealand's Tim Price and Xavier Faer who finished third overall, Gemma Tattersall and Arctic Soul who were helped by Gemberry into seventh, and Imogen Murray, competing in her first Badminton, who finished 21st and took the prize for the highest placed rider under 25. More Willberry magic at work!
So, it's on to the next big adventure and some exciting news in the near future. To date, Willberry and his friends have raised over £700,000 towards research into Osteosarcoma and the granting of Willberry’s Wishes. Let’s see if we can grant Willberry’s own wish of hitting that £1,000,000 target.
