Horsewoman memorial event planned

Jo-anne Williams was due to represent Great Britain

Members of Anglesey Draghounds, who organise hunts without foxes, are holding a fundraising event in memory of one of their members.

Jo-anne Williams, 34, from Llanfaethu, who was a trainee field master with the draghounds, died in a riding accident whilst competing last year.

The memorial event is open runners, mountain bikers and walkers as well as horse riders at Dulas Bay on Anglesey.

All money raised will go to Wales Air Ambulance.

The horsewoman died in April 2007 after a fall at the eighth fence at Sapey in Worcestershire, just days before she was due to represent Great Britain at a major trials event.

Beth Cowell, chairman of Anglesey Draghounds, said they wanted to raise money for the air ambulance because Mrs Williams' family supported the charity.

"Last year saw the tragic death of our trainee fieldmaster and her family have since raised money for the air ambulance and we wanted to do our bit," she said.

Sponsorship

She added however that the idea for a multi-discipline event came from another member, Gwen McCreadie, after her daughter, Sian, needed the services of the air ambulance after a fall whilst competing in April.

"And although Jo-anne is no longer with us, her family is fully supporting the event," she said.

The event has managed to secure access to privately owned land and quiet tracks not normally open to the public.

Gwen McCreadie said she was hopeful quite a lot of money would be raised.

"The event is sponsored by many local companies and there will be a choice of distances to cover from four to fifteen miles," she said.

"There will also be a prize for the most sponsorship money raised," she added.

Draghounds are 'hunts' without the fox.

The dogs and riders follow an artificial scent laid down by a rider who goes around dragging something behind them.

The event takes place between 1100 BST and 1400 BST on Sunday, 17 August starting from Pentre Eirianell, Dulas Bay.