AN EQUESTRIAN venue director has launched an online charity auction to fund treatment for chronic headaches.

Daisy Bunn, a sponsorship director at the All England Jumping Course at Hickstead, has organised the Christmas fundraiser to advance studies into the syndrome New Persistent Daily Headache (NPDH).

Miss Bunn – also a freelance photographer – has suffered from the condition for a number of years and now hopes to help others experiencing the symptoms.

She said: “I am lucky enough to have been symptom-free from NDPH for more than a year, but every day I think of all those who are still living with it, if indeed you can really call it ‘living’, as it is a life governed and usurped by pain.

“All money raised will go to providing pain psychology treatment for a number of patients who can’t afford it. We really do have the chance to give some patients and their families a little bit of hope this Christmas.”

Money will be donated to the University College London hospital charity to treat patients of specialist Doctor Manjit Matharu – a senior lecturer at The Institute of Neurology and Honorary Consultant Neurologist at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, in Queen Square, London.

Auction prizes include lessons from riders such as Trevor Breen, Nick Skelton, Tina Cook, Shane Breen and Dane Rawlins. There is a chance to meet and greet other famous equestrian figures, such as Carl Hester and Richard Davison, and there is a VIP trip to Hickstead and tickets to other equestrian events up for grabs.

Designer shoes, mini-breaks in the UK and France, signed-books and other gifts are also on offer.

It follows a carol concert and raffle that took place on Tuesday in London for the cause, with performances by soprano Cheryl Enever, and readings by television presenters Christopher Biggins, and Clare Balding, actor Martin Clunes and model Jodie Kidd who all have a connection with the Hickstead showground.

To bid in the online auction, which closes at 11pm tomorrow visit jumblebee.co.uk/ndphstarrynight.