Further News of Lauren's Tournament September 2005

In September 2005, 15 year old Lauren Watson organised and held a Fun Theme Polocrosse Tournament in aid of the Zambian Police horses at Leopards Hill Polocrosse Club. This was her personal project choice for her Middle Years Program at American International School in Lusaka.

The profit made from the tournament fees, bar and raffle came to K 11,637,000.

There were many great sponsors and helpers but a special thanks to Celtel, who always support Leopards Hill Polocrosse Club and to Kasaka River Lodge and Proflight who donated a weekend for two with flights for the raffle. Lauren expresses her sincere gratitude to all involved.

What the profits were spent on...

The money raised from the tournament has/is still being spent as follows:

K 1,250,000 to the Cheshire Homes Society - As the Police horses are not a charitable organisation, a portion of the money raised from the raffle had to be donated to a registered charity. The Cheshire Home Society is a home that was founded by Lord Lepnard Cheshire in aid of disabled children and is situated on Middleway, Kabulonga.

20 Numnas - Many of the horses have saddle sores due to the thin cloth ZP numnas that they use. Twenty thick blue heavy duty numnas were made to place under their official ones when patrolling or on official duties.

12 sets (x2) of white over-reach boots - For protection of the feet of the 6 horses that play polocrosse.

Grooming equipment - Brushes, Combs, Curry Combs and hoof picks.

6 sets (x4) of blue bandages - For protection of the lower legs of the 6 horses that play polocrosse.

Cupboard - A lock-up cupboard was made with room for numnas, over-reach boots, bandages and all the grooming equipment.

Sand for stables - There are 22 horses and each stable had bare concrete floors. The stables were filled with sand.

Medicine for saddle sores - Medication was bought for the saddle sores and treatment was started.

Saddle brackets - New saddle brackets were made for the walls of the tack room as the old ones were broken.

Building materials - Building materials were bought - roof sheets, wood, sand, stone, cement, nails etc., to repair the roof to the hay shed which had blown off. A large garage gate was aquired to insert in the shed and has to be built in. These jobs are currently being attended to.