Councillors to take to saddle in their latest charity challenge

Councillors to take to saddle in their latest charity challenge

19 July 2017

ROWALLANE politicians Billy Walker and Terry Andrews are hoping to saddle up for another fundraising charity challenge.

The intrepid duo have roped themselves into a horse race and have admitted it wasn’t a spur of the moment decision.

The good friends, who have raised over £10,000 for local charities and good causes over the past number of years during a number of fundraising events, hope to take part in the race this September and are currently discussing where the event will take place.

The challenge to take part in a horse race has been thrown down by Downpatrick businessman Bartley Murphy who is working alongside the politicians who will be jockeying for position to see who will have the bragging rights once they cross the finish line.

“The race won’t be ‘furlong’ as we plan to have a very short course,” joked councillor Walker. “We hope this latest event will ‘stirrup’ much interest and we can raise more money for charity.”

The DUP councillor, who lost out to his SDLP friend in a cycle challenge last December, insists he will be the “mane man” and that the race will be on the flat.

“It will be hard enough for Terry and I if we can secure the necessary agreements and permissions to allow the race to take place over the flat. If the pair of us had to negotiate a fence I think the combined weight of our landings would show up on the Richter scale.”

Councillor Andrews has described the prospect of a horse race as “interesting” and said the fact he and councillor Walker have never been on a horse before should make it a spectacle for all the wrong reasons.

The duo recently raised money during their annual golf tournament at Bright for Down District Home Start and the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust which helps families bring home loved ones who have died overseas. But they have yet to decide which charity will benefit from the horse race.

Previous fundraisers have included a charity boxing match, an eating challenge, cycle race and rowing races at Killyleagh harbour, with both men determined to secure the bragging rights with a win this September.

But before all that, at the start of next month, the Rowallane politicians will be donning their pinnies for a baking challenge at the Bridge Community Centre in Killyleagh in aid of the Killyleagh Youth -In project.

Councillor Walker has no intention of ending up with a soggy bottom when his cake comes out of the oven, while councillor Andrews believes the baking challenge will be “wee buns” and that he will be whipping up a storm to prove he is the boss when it comes to baking.

He added: “When it comes to baking it is all about taking whisks and I have to make sure I bake no mistakes. Dare I say it should be eggs=citing. May baking is state of the tart as Billy will soon find out.”