Riding to a brighter future

BY LAUREL MYERS

One woman is making her dream to make a difference come true in a selfless journey to make the dreams of children come true as well.

Martha Birkett set out on horseback on March 30 from Ottawa in an effort to raise funds and awareness for the Children's Wish Foundation. Along with her three vehicle support drivers and her four horses - Champagne, Coco, Daisy and Rapper - Birkett plans to ride the 3,500 km stretch of the Trans Canada Highway to arrive in Calgary just in time for the Stampede in July. Her ride is called Giddy Up For Wishes and her goal is to raise $333,000 for the Children's Wish Foundation.

She made a stop in Sudbury Friday at Tom Davies Square to share the emotional gratitude of her cross-country journey. Deputy Mayor Ron Dupuis proclaimed April 11-17 Giddy Up For Wishes week in the City of Greater Sudbury.

Born and raised in a family of nine children, Birkett explained her family always had foster children, sometimes as many as five at a time.

"For as far back as I can remember, I prayed and wished to be able to make a difference in the world, especially in the lives of children," she said. "I didn't know how I was going to be able to do it, but I think this is my wish-come-true."

She explained a reason for choosing the Children's Wish Foundation is because it is an all-encompassing organization.

"It's not just one specific thing," she said. "It doesn't matter what the child has, if they're challenged, this organization helps them."

The website dedicated to her journey, www.giddyupforwishes.com , further explained the reasons behind her choice.

One of her sisters was severely health-challenged and handicapped. She also knows several children and their families who have benefited from the Foundation's generosity and recognized how their lives were enhanced, the website stated.

"I really feel I am doing what a lot of people would if they could," she said. "I'm at a point in my life that I can do this for the children."

The mother of three girls, and a grandmother of two, Birkett said , "I'm grateful every day for their good health. I just want to give back for what I'm very grateful for."

With two decades of wish-granting behind them, the Children's Wish Foundation has filled over 12,000 wishes. For a child whose wish is about to be granted, the pain and discomfort of their illness, and often harsh treatment regimes, somehow becomes more bearable.

"I believe in the healing effect that working toward a positive goal can have in helping people overcome life's challenges," Birkett said. "I hope Canadians will see the magic of this ride and help Giddy Up for Wishes as we celebrate the therapeutic relationship between horses and people while raising money for the Children's Wish Foundation."

At her send-off in Ottawa, the devoted rider received the World's Biggest Wish - a wish for world peace, which she has carried with her in a leather pouch on her saddle, along with other wishes collected along the way from "wish children."

"All the wishes I gather from the children, I will put in the pouch and they will be given to the Children's Wish Foundation in Calgary," she explained.

Birkett, and her travelling companions, are averaging about 40-50 km, using two horses, every day. With daily deadlines to accommodate hosts, community events and her eventual arrival in Calgary, Birkett's horses are travelling at a trotting pace the majority of the time, which increases the physical exertion for the rider.

The experienced equestrienne admitted after her first day, pushing through a 60 km stretch, she was feeling quite sore, but the pain passed when she was reminded of the children she was riding for and what they endure.

"Somebody told me 'enjoy your soreness because the soreness you have is nothing compared to what a lot of these kids have to deal with,'" she said. "And it's so true."

Inclement weather Friday had the rider and horses  temporarily off the road. Birkett explained, though she has no problem riding in the weather, she fears for the safety of her drivers, her horses, and others on the road.

"It's not that I don't want to be out in the weather, that doesn't bother me, I just don't want to take any chances," she said.

She added the hospitality so far along the way had been overwhelming.

"The support just gets stronger and stronger now that the word is getting out. All across the Trans Canada Highway there's just incredible people."

Following the completion of the ride, Giddy Up for Wishes horse, Champagne, will be sold in an online auction, with all proceeds being donated to the Children's Wish Foundation.

For more information, to support the cause, or to follow Birkett on her journey, visit www.giddyupforwishes.com .