Presentation to local Riding for the Disabled Group

Cheque Presentation to local Riding for the Disabled Group

Based out at the superb facilities of the Lakefield Equestrian Centre near Camelford Station, the Riding for the Disabled (RDA) North Cornwall Group, are busier than ever with classes for people of all ages ranging, at present, from four to sixty.  One of the major issues for the RDA in North Cornwall has been the installation of a sophisticated Lift mechanism to enable riders to be mounted safely onto their horses, whilst ensuring their dignity remains intact.

So the past year has seen an increase in fund-raising activity as the Group has needed to find over £11,000 to cover the cost of the Lift. There have, amongst other events, been Barn Dances, Race Nights, Summer BBQs and Pub Quizes, whilst the Instructors and Volunteers have been 'out on the road' speaking to organisations like Wadebridge Rotary Club to raise awareness of the valuable work being undertaken by the RDA.

As Chairperson, Jill Smith, said at Saturday's cheque presentation out at Lakefield: "We are immensely grateful to Wadebridge Rotary Club for their donation of £750 and their obvious interest in our work here.  The Lift has been a major investment for our Group and has used up (in the short term) valuable financial resources which we need to replenish quickly to ensure we can continue our daily operation.  The demand for our services grows continually and we have superb Instructors in Becky Monk and Mark Cunliffe who, with our invaluable Volunteers, are able to make such a difference to our riders."

The RDA, North Cornwall Group, covers a huge area of the South West and is always on the look out for More Money and More Helpers; if you would like to offer your services (and you do not need to have a 'horsey' background) then do please call Sue Rickard on 0845 241 6377 or 01840 261361 or email rdanorthcornwallgroup@gmail.com to have a chat.  Some of the RDA's activities can be viewed on their web site.

Tim Jones of Wadebridge Rotary Club, whose son Sam rides at Lakefield and is full of enthusiasm for the Centre, made the presentation of the cheque to the Group following their visit to the Club a few weeks ago.  "We are absolutely delighted to support the RDA in this way and feel that we have made a link that will be maintained for some long time.  We could not have been made more welcome and would encourage others to visit the Centre."

Two events are in the immediate diary: On Tuesday 1 May the Centre hosts the County Dressage & Countryside Challenge with a follow-up on Tuesday 22 May for the Regional Dressage & Countryside Challenge and visitors will be made extremely welcome.

The image shows - L - R, Jill Smith (Chairperson of RDA N. Cornwall Group), Tim Jones  and Ruth Greaney (RDA Committee Member)