Young fundraiser saddles up for forces chatity (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Dani Genillard, 17, from South Cerney will be attempting a 50km endurance ride from Banbury Castle on Saturday August 18 for Afghan Heroes

3:00pm Saturday 11th August 2012 in News By Ian Craig

A STUDENT at Cirencester College is preparing to ride 50km in one day to raise money for soldiers fighting abroad.

Dani Genillard, 17, from South Cerney will be attempting a 50km endurance ride from Banbury Castle on Saturday August 18 for Afghan Heroes, a charity set up by a group of mothers whose sons and daughters are serving in Afghanistan.

Dani said she was inspired to take on the challenge after her brother Andre, 25, returned from a six-month tour of Afghanistan with the Royal Gurkha Rifles, during which his unit suffered multiple casualties.

“Even though he’s back I’m obviously aware that things like that are still going on,” she said.

“Aghan Heroes are a great charity – my brother remembers receiving packages from them while he was abroad so I would like to give something back.”

Dani, who has already hit her funding target of £1,000 but is still hoping for further donations, said the ride would be a great challenge.

“I have done endurance riding before but this will be the longest one I’ve done – I’m hoping its not too hot,” she said.

“I’ll be doing it by myself and I’m not sure if I’m going to be doing my own route or following a pre-set one.

“I’m expecting it to take about four hours.”

Dani added she was thinking of following her brother into the service after she finishes her A-levels next year.

“My brother went to Sandhurst and I’m thinking of doing the same thing and maybe going into the intelligence corp,” she said.

To sponsor Dani, email her on danigenillard@aol.com For more information on Aghan Heroes, visit afghanheroes.org.uk