Once Upon A Time In The West
It is just over ten years ago that my rather brilliant friend , Alex 'Smudge' Finer , took his own life. He was only 23 years old and had been suffering from mental health problems.He is sorely missed by family and friends and in his honour we are raising some money for MIND - The Mental Health Charity.

A Fist Full Of Dollars
I have rather foolishly agreed to put my bum on the line , so to speak. I am going to ride very fast horses around the Big Horn Basin in Wyoming for seven days, between six and eight hours a day in the saddle, in the hope of raising as much as possible.'Sounds like a bit of a jolly' i hear you say! Well, not if you've only ever been on a horse twice (see picture for one of those times) - the last time being this Sunday just gone.Let's get this clear - i am not a rider and this ain't no City Slickers Dude Ranch.

Rawhide
Saddlesore's a given,so please give generously.I will be suffering but will be spurred on by thinking how much money my very generous friends are donating.

The Good
All the money you donate is going directly to MIND
The Bad
'Riders should be reasonably fit' ,  'this is not for the inexperienced ,or timid rider'  - i think you begin to appreciate the enormity of the challenge ahead.
The Ugly
Having to suffer Red and Spike having their Brokeback Mountain moment.

Blazing Saddles
Thank you in advance for donating - i will be giving my merino wool saddle cover to the least generous of you..

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Mind - The Mental Health Charity gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now.