Blairgowrie & Rattray Hub Magazine Winter 2023

Here at Blairgowrie RDA, we know how to
put the fun into fundraising! From blueberry
picking to baking, raffles to rattling tins, our
volunteers have been busy over the last few
months.
A huge thanks to everyone who supported
us at our various events, including our coffee
morning at St Catharine’s, fruit picking at
Thomas Thomson, and Blairgowrie Highland
Games, where lots of people came to say hello
to our ponies Tash and Morven.
We also held two very successful raffle days
at Tesco, where we raised an incredible £870,
and we are very grateful for other donations,
including a generous gift of field equipment
from one of our volunteers.
Our next events will be our Water into Wine
stall at Burrelton Market on 26 November and
our tea and home baking stalls at our yard at
Easter Rattray Farm in December. Make sure
to pop by when you’re picking your Christmas
tree and there’s also going to be a craft fair – a
great family day out all round!
It’s been an equally busy time for our ponies,
with an activity packed season of lessons for
school children and private adult and young
riders. It’s incredible to see how our riders have
progressed and how much they enjoy riding.
One school teacher summed it up by saying:
“Our pupils are very excited every week to attend
the sessions and we can see enormous benefits to
them. Watching them on the horses, it is clear to
see the level of concentration and focus they have
when they are riding, but also the joy they have
from being there.
“It is plain to see the fondness they have for the
horse they ride and the level of calmness they
display is amazing. Some of our pupils are not
‘still’ at any time of the day, but on the horses
they are incredibly still and calm. The therapy
RDA volunteers Kate (left) and Andi with
Tesco duty manager Amanda who picked
the winners in our raffle draw.
this offers them is undoubtedly beneficial to their
mental wellbeing.”
If you know someone who would benefit from
Riding for the Disabled, why not get in touch?
We cater for a wide range of riders of all ages
and with differing abilities – all are welcome!
We’d like to say thank you to all our volunteers,
without whom we couldn’t support our riders.
They do a fantastic job, particularly over the
last few weeks where the weather has been
somewhat challenging!
We’re always keen to hear from new
volunteers, so if you’re interested,
please drop us a message at
blairgowrierda@outlook.com or visit our
website. There are lots of activities you can
take part in, from helping out at lessons to
pony care or raising awareness about RDA.
You can also support us through our Clip Clop
Club 100 monthly draw, with great cash prizes
to be won. Visit https://blairgowrierda.co.uk/
clip-clop-club-100-draw to find out more.
And you can keep up to date with Blairgowrie
RDA through our Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/BlairgowrieRDA and
website at www.blairgowrierda.co.uk
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