Wednesday 17 August 2011

The Mongol Derby!


I take my hat off to Owen and Rose Paterson, who have completed a six hundred mile journey across Mongolia on horse-back for charity.

The Right Hon Owen Paterson MP is the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

I had no idea of this feat until Lord Brookeborough reminded us all about it at Hillsborough Castle last Friday.

The Patersons were the oldest of 23 participants who journeyed to Asia, to retrace the pony express communication trail, first set out during the reign of Mongol emperor Genghis Khan, more than 800 years ago.

It is the world’s longest horse race, across the Mongolian Steppe in 10 days to raise money for charity. They were the oldest competitors as well as being the only ones from the UK. They raised about £55,000 for the Royal Irish Regiment Benevolent Fund, the Midlands Centre for Spinal Injuries and Mercy Corps Mongolia.

One of the sponsors was the First Minister of Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Peter Robinson MLA.

Mr Paterson added he was looking forward to collecting the money owed to him by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon George Osborne MP: "Good businessman that he is, the chancellor promised me a cheque, but only on completion," he said.

1 comment :

Owen Polley said...

It sounded like quite an epic trip. I'd love to got to Mongolia. that said, not on a horse.