9:00am Sunday 14th March 2010
By Chris Yandell
HAMPSHIRE horse-owners are boycotting a Help for Heroes event in protest at the £175 entry fee being used to cover costs.
They have pulled out of the sponsored Horses for Heroes ride-and-drive day at Royal Windsor Great Park because the money – expected to total more than £350,000 – will go on administration instead of helping soldiers.
Valentine Cadell, from Burley in the New Forest, is among those who has withdrawn from the event.
She said: “This is a charity and the heroes could do with every penny.”
Suzanne Kemp, of Bull Hill, near Lymington, has also decided not to take part. “Sadly, the organisation behind this has moved the goalposts too many times,” she said.
The event is being staged by the Hpower Group, which says it hopes to raise £1m for Help for Heroes.
A spokesman said the £175 was mainly to cover health and safety costs.
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