Incredible support for Charities and Local Project

Last Tuesday evening, at what was a busy Club night, Kirkcudbright Rotary Club and a number of invited guests enjoyed an inspiring talk from Paralympian Jo Butterfield MBE. Jo, who had earlier addressed a group of students at Kirkcudbright Academy, told of how whilst in the Army, a spinal tumour resulted in her being paralysed below the waist. She talked of her determination to make best of her life and how she was introduced to the sport of wheelchair rugbyin early 2012 when she joined the Caledonian Crushers. She told of how she went on to develop a passion for athletics so much so that in 2014 she was classified as a F51 disability athlete and started to compete in regional meetings in both the discus and the club throw events. Amazingly in August that year she was selected for the Great Britain team to compete at the IPC Athletics European Championships where she set a new European record with a distance of 17.68m winning the gold medal. More and more success followed and led to Jo achieving her lifelong ambition of winning an Olympic gold medal in the club throw final at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

On Saturday 17^thMarch Kirkudbright Rotary Club held a very successful Charity Sports Dinner which raised a massive £7000 for designated charities, so on that same evening Club President Paul Tebay was able to present cheques to representatives of these charities.

Allan Ross, representing the Kirkcudbright Development Trust, received £1000, the money being specifically targeted at the ongoing Johnston School project. Maurice Halliday, Convenor of the Rotary Club's own Foundation Committee, was presented with £3000 with the money being sent to the Rotary 'End Polio Now' campaign. Finally, a cheque for £3000 was presented to Sue Cooper, Treasurer of the local branch of “Galloway RDA”, money which will be put towards the cost of providing a hoist at their Barstobrick riding facility.

UPDATE ... 7th Nov 2018 ..... It was an honour to have been invited to attend the launch of RDA installing of the hoist which our Club helped to achieve. Photographs show President Gordon, immediate past President Paul, along with officials at Barstobrick.

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY RDA BARSTOBRICK

GALLOWAY RDA CELEBRATE THE INSTALLATION OF A HOIST 

Earlier this year Galloway RDA were successful in receiving grants from Kirkcudbright Rotary Club, Dumfries and Galloway Council and Santander. This has enabled the group to go-ahead with the purchase and installation of a hoist supplied by Horseplay. The hoist was installed at the end of July and coaches, volunteers and our ponies have all been trained to ensure the safety of rider/pony and volunteers during mounting/dismounting.

To celebrate the installation of the hoist, guests from Kirkcudbright Rotary Club   - President Gordon Cowan, past President - Paul Tebay and D&G Counsellor Dougie Campbell plus all volunteers and riders where invited along for an official opening of the hoist followed by a light lunch at Barstobrick Cafe. Following speeches made by our RDA County Chairperson - Wendy Milliken, and Galloway RDA Vice chairperson - Trish Keith, the ribbon was pulled by Dougie Campbell and Gordon Cowan to officially open the hoist and then there was a demo if the hoist in action. One of our riders Annie Walker was lifted by the hoist and under the guidance of our instructors - Justine Hunter -Brown, Lady Vaux of Harrowden, Jean Clarkson and Janet Watson, Annie was hoisted from her wheelchair and  onto Lightning, one of the wonderful ponies provided to our group by Helen Maxwell from Lochhill Equestrian Centre.

The installation of a hoist will be beneficial for riders particularly amputees and those who have had a stroke. Mounting/dismounting will be so much easier and improve their experience with us.

We cannot express enough how grateful we are to the organizations and local council who have supported us in achieving our goal of purchasing a hoist. Of course this would not have been possible without the ongoing dedication and commitment of all our volunteers and others behind the scenes. It just goes to show anything is possible and we can make changes to improve the lives of those with disabilities with the right support.