Horse Power blog by Dr John Burford
Dr John Burford is a lecturer in Equine Surgery at the University of Nottingham having previously undertaken a surgical Residency training program at the University of Liverpool. He is a photographer and computer whiz and he has experience of working in developing countries across the world.
John is in charge of the technical side of the Horse Power CPD program and his role is to provide the IT support. John will be travelling in the lead vehicle and will set up the talks at each venue so that the bike team can arrive and begin the POWER CPD as soon as they are out of their leathers.
26th July - Liverpool
The Horsepower CPD tour unfortunately didn't get off to the best start with one of the team, Mike Shepherd having a spill on the A14 on Sunday. Happily he was only bruised (his bike wasn't so lucky) and joined up with the rest of us on Monday evening. We had an excellent start to the tour at Leahurst with a great turn-out, and a steady stream of donations. Sadly the weather wasn't quite so generous with awful conditions as the group headed South for Bristol.
27th July - Bristol
Mike was able to meet us at Bristol having joined up using public transport. A sociable start (compared to what is to come) saw the team arrive at the University for a photo shoot in front of Langford House. The talks went well, and again we had a steady stream of donations. The group chose to take A roads over towards London during the afternoon although slow progress was made through Bath but we made it eventually.
28th July - RVC
The team were greeted by some impressive building projects as they made their way into the Hawkshead Campus but a very pleasing number of delegates had managed to find somewhere to park. Sadly it turned out that we had lost another member of the team, Peter McElroy who had to retire with a severe case of gastroenteritis. Happily he and his bike made it home safely.
28th July - Cambridge
A short journey Northwards took us to Cambridge for the only evening session of the tour where we were treated to an superb buffet dinner. The justgiving total so far stands tantalisingly short of £30,000.
29th July - Nottingham
A very very early start for the team for the journey over to Nottingham where we found another building site and parking difficulties. We did learn that a delegate attending the RVC leg had bought an ultrasound scanner from BCF who are making a wonderful gesture of donating 10% of the sale to the cause. For that we have to pass on our sincere thanks for BCF, and also to Hall Place Veterinary Centre. The team will be heading North this afternoon for an overnight stop near Newcastle. The motorbikes have now passed the half way mark of the 1300 miles they need to cover!
30th July - Edinburgh
Today we headed into Scotland for the final two legs of the tour. By the end of today the team will have delivered three full days of CPD. Sincere thanks must go to Sally Booth from Robson and Prescott Veterinary Centre and her assistants Emma Pearson and Robert Strachan. Sally organised our accommodation at Newcastle Racecourse, and prepared an amazing meal for the bikers. Today we have also received the news that the fundraising so far is estimated to have exceeded £40,000 which is an amazing achievement. The more that can be raised the longer we can guarantee the future of the riding for the disabled centre in Bamako.
31st July - Glasgow
Coming soon!
