As the Arran Riding For Disabled Association (RDA) celebrates its year and a half anniversary Barbara Tinto updates us on what they have achieved so far.
The Arran RDA has been operating for a year and a half and we have been completely overwhelmed by your generosity – which sometimes comes from unexpected sources!
For example, I was most surprised and delighted to receive a letter and cheque for £350 from a Mr. Griffin, representing Timeform – an organisation which runs an annual charity dinner and Race Day (Horse racing) to raise money for McMillan Cancer Support and other charities.
Mr. Robbie Glen of Whiting Bay was a speaker at their 2007 Charity Dinner and was asked to nominate a charity to receive a donation.
We are extremely grateful that he chose Arran RDA – hence the surprise cheque! Thank you Robbie and Timeform.
Our children and young people are progressing well, gaining in confidence and skill.
They have all achieved Proficiency Certificates in Riding and Horse Care at varying levels. Our Summer Camp was a great source of fun as well as progress.
We are now beginning to introduce the adult members of our community, who have disabilities, to the joys of working and riding with horses – at whatever level they want to participate, whether it’s riding a pony, grooming or just stroking, cleaning tack or just watching while enjoying a cup of tea!
To this end we have been fundraising with a view to buying a new, slightly larger more stocky weight-bearing pony.
At this point, on behalf of the Arran Group, I would like to thank all the people – groups, businesses, clubs and individuals – who have helped us in this respect.
As a charity we rely completely on donations, grants and fundraising to function.
We have had many other donations; some from groups like Lamlash Gala Week, Lamlash Golf Club Ladies and the Baptist Church; some from businesses like the Auchrannie Hotel; some in the form of sponsorship for various items of equipment we have needed, from Fulton Decorators, Kiscadale Engineering, The Curtain House; some in the form of work carried out or materials donated/subsidised e.g. Arran Haulage, Winsome Rosettes, Chris Gillson, Murchie Sand & Gravel, Cladach Sawmill, David Hendry, Yvonne Bailey’s lovely artwork on our arena markers.
Also a big thank you to all the numerous individuals who have contributed large and small amounts from personal donations and fundraising efforts.
I can’t list every name but I would like you to know we are very grateful to you all.
On that note can I draw your attention to our ferry fundraising collection on board the MV Caledonian Isles on Saturday November 17.
Many thanks to Robbie Brown of CalMac for this opportunity. Please support us if you are travelling!
Finally we cannot function without our fantastic volunteer helpers – not only hands on horse & rider helpers, but also very importantly people willing to help with fundraising, with computer and secretarial skills, folk who are adept at grant/form applications; people with P.R. skills; people who can offer transport.
It is fun as well as work and you would be helping so much to deliver the benefits of RDA to the children, young people and adults involved: - physical benefits in terms of fresh air and exercise, improvement in balance, coordination and muscle tone; psychological benefits such as increased confidence and self esteem as well as the satisfaction of learning a new skill; with the social benefits of increased interaction and communication.
If you feel you can help and join our group please get in touch with Barbara Tinto on 600517 or email rda.arran@hotmail.co.uk or call Rona Fulton on 600752 or Fiona Beatan on 850253.
