Volunteers at the Exmoor Pony Centre are nearing the end of a two-week walking, running and riding team challenge to raise £2,000 for the Moorland Mousie Trust.

The trust was founded over 20 years ago to support the Exmoor pony and since then more than 500 Exmoor ponies have been helped.

The challenge sees teams take part in a virtual journey from the Exmoor Pony Centre, near Dulverton, to the other Moorland Mousie Trust site in Hexham, Northumberland, 387 miles away.

The volunteers are headed up by challenge co-ordinator and volunteer Karen Minto, who was converted to Exmoor ponies after a ride on pony Tom, at the Exmoor Pony Centre in 2017.

This is the second team challenge, last year’s appeal raising £1,700. Volunteer Valeria Coots said: “I really enjoyed last year’s challenge, despite the many aches and pains, but I’m determined to make it all the way to Hexham this year.”

Linzi Green, manager of the Moorland Mousie Trust, which runs the Exmoor Pony Centre, said: “In May 2020 our centre was closed to the public, funds were scarce and without volunteers on the ground we found times were really tough.

“Not only do our volunteers bring amazing enthusiasm and boost our team’s morale, they also add a sense of place and joy in our work.

“Without our volunteers we would come undone and to see their efforts move from hands-on with the ponies to fundraising, to help us make it through the hard times, just fills me with immense pride.”

Trustee Juliet Rogers said: “We are overwhelmed by our inspirational team of volunteers, they love the ponies and the charity is delighted by their sense of team spirit.”

The Exmoor Pony Centre was opened to offer the public a chance to interact with the ponies and has been offering volunteering opportunities for nearly 15 years.

Many of the ponies which arrive there require specialised handling, training and veterinary treatments, and the charity relies on donations and support to raise funds towards its work.

The teams will complete their challenge on Sunday (May 16). To follow their story online visit Facebook.com/TheExmoorPonyCentre – to donate visit Justgiving.com/fundraising/volunteer-team-challenge