Gatcombe cancellation means Gloucestershire charities miss out

The Institute of Fundraising said charities often "piggyback" off such events

Charities in Gloucestershire say they are counting the cost of a second major equestrian event being cancelled in the county.

This weekend's Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe was called off because of the heavy rain.

Badminton Horse Trials was cancelled in May because of waterlogged ground.

Charities which have stalls at the three-day event said they were losing out on funds and a chance to raise awareness of what they do.

The event was due to start on Friday at Gatcombe Park, but an inspection on Monday proved the ground was too wet.

One of the organisers, Peter Phillips, said it was a massive disappointment and that a huge amount of work had gone into setting up the event before the decision was taken to cancel.

But it is not just a blow to the spectators and riders.

Mo Begg, of Cotswold Riding for the Disabled Association, said: "I would say it's certainly a couple of thousand pounds we're losing out on."

'Enormous loss'

And Liz Webber, fundraising officer for the Stroud branch of Cats Protection, said: "I was absolutely gutted because it's a very big event in our fundraising calendar and last year we made over £800.

"It's an enormous loss to us as a charity. It's one of those big events that attracts an awful lot of people and enables us to make an awful lot of money for no outlay."

Paul Kwatia, a member of the Institute of Fundraising, said charities often "piggyback" off such events and put a lot of work into preparing for them.

"If you're invited to come along you have to recruit volunteers and organise activities you're going to do on the day," he said.

The Regents Arcade in Cheltenham has offered help to Cotswold Riding for the Disabled.

John Forward, centre manager at the arcade, said: "They've obviously gone out and purchased stock to try and sell at Gatcombe.

"I'm sure either this weekend or a weekend in the very near future we may be able to give them a bit of space in the Regents Arcade on the ground floor completely free of charge.

"They can come in and use the equipment there and try and sell some of their products."