LION

Fundraising
Riding for the Disabled
Blackmore Vale Lions support Riding for the Disabled (RDA) with adonation
of £500 to Tessa Woodhouse, the Chairman of Henstridge RDA
RDA is acharitable service that uses
horses and ponies to provide therapy,
achievement and enjoyment to
people with disabilities all over the
UK. They rely on voluntary help,
donations and legacies to deliver
their services.
Tessa Woodhouse explains that
although the RDA tag is “Riding for
the Disabled”, there are many users
of the service who may not wish to
be called disabled. For these people
RDA means Riding Develops Abilities
which is also an accurate reflection of
the work we do.
Many local schools take advantage of
this service together with groups who
are getting over accidents or illness
and the many volunteers ensure that
there is always atleast aone to one
volunteer to rider ratio.
At Henstridge there are currently
eight horses available to ride but in
the event of inclement weather, orif
anyone either cannot physically get
on ahorse or are of anervous
disposition, there are two mechanical
horses that will provide agreat
stepping stone to the real thing.
On Their High Horse
Lytham St Annes Lions in Lancashire have also
supported the charity Riding for the Disabled (RDA)
for many years and have donated many thousands
of pounds to the charity. Recently they made atrip
to Midgeland Riding School in Blackpool to view a
special piece of equipment that had recently been
installed with the help of their financial support.
The riding simulator known as 'RADAR' costed over
£50,000 and can be use by riders of all abilities, but
it is particularly useful for disabled riders.
Vice President Eileen Skelly was quick to mount the
horse followed by Lion Erica Collins and both were
thrilled by the experience as ‘it was sorealistic’. One
elderly and disabled member of the RDA said, "I feel
Ihave anew lease of life. What an amazing piece of
equipment, allowing me to relive the love of riding."
www.lionsclubs.co December 2015/January 2016
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