Generosity lets Louie gallop home
Louie, the 19-year-old 'star horse' for the Hong Kong Riding for the Disabled Association, can now pay for his $60,000 ticket home to New Zealand.
An anonymous donation of $18,000 was made during the association's annual charity ball at the Hong Kong Country Club on Friday night, where 250 guests helped raise funds for the non-profit group.
The association's operations manager, Jo Eling, said the 'buzz' at the ball was centred on Louie.
The association began a retirement fund to raise money to thank Louie for the 10 years he has helped teach thousands of able-bodied and disabled children to ride, some of whom now represent Hong Kong at equestrian events around the world.
The association had raised about $26,000 of the $60,000 required for the Louie Retirement Fund. It covers his air fare and quarantine fees in Australia and Hong Kong.
After an article in the South China Morning Post on April 30, 12 people responded to Louie's plight, boosting the coffers to $42,000.
'People at the ball had been talking about Louie and asking how much had been raised,' Ms Eling said.
Several conversations later, word reached her that someone had donated the remaining amount.
'The donor wishes to remain anonymous but we would like to thank everyone who made donations for Louie,' she said.
Ms Eling said Louie was likely to leave Hong Kong next month after two farewell parties.
