The Welsh Pony and Cob Society have raised a total of £13,271.85 for Tŷ Hafan, the Welsh Children’s hospice.

WPCS President Brian Foster’s chosen charity has benefited from the member’s fundraising following an Online Auction hosted by Brightwells, sales from a DVD of breed historian Dr Wynne Davies in conversation funded by Brian Foster, a Just Giving page and a spectacular Charity Concert organised by WPCS Young Ambassador Catrin Reed.

At a special presentation day held at Kilvey carriages, one of the children and his family enjoyed a drive around Swansea on a carriage drawn by a four-in-hand. This experience was originally donated to the WPCS auction by Modris Kesans who runs the Carriage Driving centre at Bonymaen near Swansea. At the auction, the experience was purchased by Brian Foster and given on to a Tŷ Hafan family.

Fenton and his family met an example of each of the five Welsh breeds, from the Welsh Mountain Pony through to the larger Welsh Cob and a Welsh part-bred, before alighting the carriage to be driven around the city by Simon Kesans and his four-in-hand.

Senior fundraising executive for Tŷ Hafan, Shelly Kirkham, summed up the day.

“Thank you to the Welsh Pony and Cob Society for such a phenomenal and memorable afternoon. It was a once in a lifetime experience for the family that attended and a memory that they will cherish for many years to come.

 The funds raised by Society members equate to the basic running costs for one day at Tŷ Hafan. Support like this is vitally important and to top it off Fenton had a great day meeting all the Welsh ponies and Cobs!”

Colin Thomas – Chairman of the Society responded.

“Fenton’s beaming face on the carriage is the highlight of the Society’s fundraising efforts. Led by a President who is passionate about Tŷ Hafan and the work they do for children and families, it is very satisfying to see first-hand the effect of the Charity’s work. I am particularly proud as well of our Young Ambassador, Catrin Reed – and the Young People’s group of the Society for their support and fundraising.”

The five sections of the Welsh breeds were represented on the day by Enid Rees’ homebred Welsh Section A 3 yr old filly Erwwastad Welsh Doll; Rhys Williams Celton stud’s Section B 3 year old colt – Ängvaktarns Gold Card, on behalf of his Swedish breeders Ann and Stephanie Von Arnold, The Reed family’s homebred chestnut Section C filly Tyngwndwn Annie May and the Jones family’s Fronarth Top Model a dark bay Welsh Cob 3 yr old filly. Representing the Welsh part-breds was  – Valmai Thomas’s bay brood mare Mount Pleasant China Doll and her foal Mount Pleasant Silver Charm.

Posing for photographs and proving that the Welsh breeds excel at performance Mickey Morris’s black Welsh Cob stallion – Thorneyside The High Flyer represented driven animals, whilst Beth Simons rode the Welsh section B mare Thistledown Red Rain.

The assembled animals and their handlers, driver and rider made for a fitting audience for the presentation of cheques by Brian Foster and Catrin Reed to Tŷ Hafan representatives Shelly Kirkham and Paula Langston.

As the Society’s outgoing President Brian Foster reflected

“Today was one of the best days of my Presidency and a fitting finale to the fundraising which was no mean feat in the year of a Pandemic!”

Photo credits: Anthony Reynolds