Riding For The Disabled- Are You Going To Ignore Their Dreams?

Hi, my name is Alice. Firstly, thank you for taking interest in my blog! My aim is to raise awareness about Erme Valley Riding for the Disabled. The RDA is a charity that gives mentally and physically disabled people a chance to learn to ride horses. It is an amazing opportunity for them to do something fun and therapeutic, at the same time.

Erme Valley RDA is based at The Brooke, near Ivybridge, has 160 riders, 120 helpers, 8 instructors and 10 horses. They train all of their volunteers and horses from scratch to ensure they have the knowledge, training and understanding to help with the RDA. With your help, the RDA gives 3.5 thousand rides a year. But, it costs £45,000 a year to do all of this. All this money comes from the public, so if you stop giving, you are taking away all of these thousands of rides from adults and children like Claire.

This is Claire’s story…

 Claire has been coming to Riding for the Disabled for about 18 months. She has Down’s Syndrome and has very poor muscle tone in her lower body due to complications after heart surgery, and she is nearly 11 years old. Riding gives Claire lots of opportunities which she would not otherwise have. It is wonderful for Claire to have this unique opportunity to come in contact with something alive. Because of the nature of their disabilities, children like Claire do not have the same access to outdoor activities as their peers and it is lovely that she has the chance to be out in the fresh air, feeling and seeing the change in the seasons and weather. Riding is definitely one of the highlights of Claire’s week. She loves to tell family and friends about her riding, it has been really good for her confidence and self-esteem to take part in something so special. Because of her physical limitations there are lots of things Claire cannot do and riding is her chance to do something that within the family, no-one else does.

Claire’s dream was made reality by the RDA, so she can now do something that is fun and therapeutic at the same time. By donating to Erme Valley RDA, you are helping people like Claire do something they love. It would be great if you could now write a few words answering the questions below. More information and details about Erme Valley RDA can be found on their website http://www.ridingatthebrook.co.uk or on the national website http://www.rda.org.uk  Please help all these people with disabilities by donating, volunteering, holding a fundraiser or by simply buying the RDA merchandise. If you do leave a comment, please tell me your home town and country. Thank you again for reading my blog.

Questions:

1. Had you heard/thought about Erme Valley RDA before reading my blog?
2. Do you now feel more informed about the RDA?
3. Would you now support the RDA by doing one of the following (please state which):

Making a donation, signing up to receive a newsletter, buying RDA merchandise, telling your friends and family about Erme Valley RDA? 

Thank you ever so much,

Alice