Helping a local community legend ride for kids safety

With financial support from Hunter Valley Operations, Jerrys Plains’ resident Brian Atfield has completed a 200km horse ride to play a part in raising more than half a million dollars to support kids’ safety in Australia.

Mr Atfield and 19 others rode across nine days from Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley to Tamworth as part of the KIDS Foundation charity’s Tour d’Horse fundraising event in January.

The funds will be used to support the Foundation’s work including a new See More Kindness early intervention program in Newcastle, the Hunter and the New England early childhood centres, as well as an Empowering Kindness camp for local children recovering from injury later in 2024.

As well as taking part in the ride, Mr Atfield coordinated the horses, their feed and property visits.

“I hadn’t heard about it [the ride] until Susie [Dr Susie O’Neill OAM, KIDS Foundation CEO] rang me about it.” Brian said.

“I never knew anything about the KIDS Foundation or the Tour d’Horse event but now I think it’s the greatest event.

He encourages others to take part in the next events.

“Don’t think twice about it, just do it.”

Susie said this is the biggest fundraising event the KIDS Foundation has ever had.

“We are so grateful that Hunter Valley Operations joined our riders, our fundraisers, our volunteers, our industry partners, and the Hunter Valley broader community on a journey to make a difference,” Susie said.

“Together we pushed the limits of an idea to co-create something that was life-changing, inspirational and magical. Collectively we did it. We raised $500,000 which means in 2024 KIDS Foundation will reach 200,000 children Australia wide.”

“The support Hunter Valley Operations and Brian Atfield provided will enable care programs for traumatised and injured children and their families, and a recovery camp in Hunter Valley and the delivery of educational health and safety resources to less fortunate children in 20 preschools in the Hunter Valley.
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“Together we have made it possible to make a difference and change lives.”

The Foundation visited Little Kindy Singleton on March 20 to to start the process of handing out the health and safety resources to more than 500 preschoolers in the Hunter.

The $20,000 in funding came from HVO’s community grants program. The next funding round will open in April 2024.

HVO Environment and Community Manager Andrew Speechly said HVO got behind Brian’s ride and the work of KIDS Foundation because every child should be safe from harm and injury. Visit www.hvo.com.au/community for more information on how to apply.

KIDS Foundation supports children who have life-long injuries and trauma, from burns, accidents, violent crimes, abuse, and disease to help them and their families to recover. It uses a range of therapies including Injury and trauma recovery camps and horse related activities using retired racehorses. The Foundation also reaches 400,000 children nationally through its injury prevention education program. For more information visit kidsfoundation.org.au.